Faulkner Hospital

In honor of a trip to the Faulkner hospital with my mother today, Jamaica Plain's own hospital gets an entry today. I have only a vague memory of the old building, but I've spent much time at the new hospital. The rooms that face Centre street have a great view of the Arboretum and beyond to the Blue Hills and Quincy, and the roof of the back garage has a nice view of the city. I think that the Faulkners could be rightfully proud of the facility they left behind.




Boston Daily Globe October 7, 1901


West Roxbury To Have Fine Hospital. Institution Given by Mrs A.L. Faulkner Will Be Ready in About a Year.


Through the generosity of Mrs A.L. Faulkner, wife of Dr George Faulkner of Jamaica Plain, the part of Boston comprised in the old town of West Roxbury is to have a fully equipped modern hospital, located on Centre and Allandale sts, Jamaica Plain, work on which has just begun.

It is to be as near the lines of the Massachusetts General hospital as the trustees deem expedient. That Mrs Faulkner thought a great deal in the matter is shown by the fact that three years after she first provided for the founding of the hospital she bought what she thought would be a suitable site, and in a codicil called the attention of the trustees to its advisability.

She has been extremely liberal in her proposition, for she leaves practically the execution of her desire in the hands of her executors, Charles P. Bowditch and Alfred Bowditch, limiting them only in the choice of trustees, which she designates shall be nominated first by the Messrs Bowditch, who are to constitute two, and then appointed by the judge of the probate court, not to exceed eight, of whom two at least shall be women.

Since Mrs Faulkner's death, two years ago, the executors have been preparing to carry out the provisions of the will and are now taking the first actual steps. The hospital will be known as the Faulkner hospital, in memory of the benefactor. The trustees are Charles P. Bowditch, chairman, Alfred Bowditch treas, Henry B. Chapin, Charles H. Souther, Miss Ellen D. Morse, Miss Caroline Bowditch, all of Jamaica Plain, and Miss Emily G. Jenny of Brookline.

The location for the hospital is an ideal one, on rising ground just far enough from the street to be away from its noises and yet near enough to be easily accessible. On the summit of this rising ground will be placed to begin with two buildings, with provision for another at a later time. Through the courtesy of Kendall, Taylor & Stevens the Globe is able to give a description and picture of the hospital.

Naturally not so much attention has been paid to the ornamentation of the buildings as to the arrangement of rooms.

Provision will be made for cases of all kinds except contagious diseases.
The main or administration building will be situated at the center on rising ground. It is to be three stories high, of dark brick, with elaborate trimmings of cream terra cotta. There will be a southern exposure. The entrance will be by a cartouche. The general finish is to be of white ash excepting the front hall and the executive committee room, which will be finished in quartered oak. Special plumbing will prevail throughout the building, also a complete system of indirect steam heat and ventilation. The lighting will be by electricity, although there is to be piping for gas.
Connecting all the rooms will be a complete system of telephones. The elevators will be large enough to accommodate chairs or cots that must be conveyed from floor to floor. A fully equipped surgical room in the administration building will be separated from the rest of the building by a series of doors and hallways.

The first floor arrangement of the administration structure will be very handy. A large corridor runs the entire length from the entrance. On the right will be the reception room, finished in quartered oak, with an open fireplace. The room of the house physician is to be back of it, with an entrance from the main corridor. In addition there will be the matron's room, sterilizing room, etherizing room, surgical room, operating room, recovery room and toilet and bathrooms.

The second floor provides for six bedrooms for the use of physicians, surgeons and nurses, dining room, bath and toilet. On this floor there will be a large outside balcony,with wrought iron railings.

The third floor will be devoted to the use of the help. There the rooms include a large kitchen, amply pantry, a living room, a cook room, two bedrooms for servants, toilet and bath rooms and a large laundry. In the basement there will be an X-ray room, pharmacy, laboratory, autopsy room, janitor's quarters, cold storage room, boiler room and storage room.

The ward building will be two stories high. In the basement is the disinfecting room, clothing room and large storage room. The first floor is to have four private wards with open fireplaces and a common ward room with accommodations for eight beds. At one end of the room will be a sun bay window. On this floor will also be a small kitchen with a gas stove and steam table. The second floor will be the same as the first.

It is expected that the hospital will be ready for use in about a year.