Harper Hospital's School of
Nursing
During the early 1900s
Detroit's Harper Hospital was home to one of the nation's best nursing
schools. Opened in 1884, Harper's Farrand Training School for Nurses
graduated nurses who served with distinction in every major twentieth
century war. Today, many rare Harper photographs and artifacts are kept
at the Walter P. Reuther Library at Wayne State University.
Alumni
Association of the Harper Hospital School of Nursing
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With American involvement in World War I, Harper nurses were asked by
the government to travel overseas and set up an army hospital. In late
1917, these Harper alumni left New York bound for Dijon, France.
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Located in Dijon, on the Rue de Voltair, was an abandoned Jesuit
Seminary. Here, Harper nurses, under the leadership of Emily A.
McLaughlin, R.N., set up Base Hospital 17.
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During Christmas 1917, Pere Noel visited wounded soldiers at Base
Hospital 17. Base Hospital Surgeon, Dr. Hirschman, dressed as Santa and
was captured on film by McLaughlin.
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During the Depression Harper students served Detroit in many ways. These
members of the Social Service Club prepare Christmas dinner for the less
fortunate.
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These 1933 Farrand graduates proudly pose with Lystra Gretter, who
served as the institution's president from 1889-1907. Gretter is best
remembered for penning the Florence Nightingale Pledge, an oath of
faithful service, which nursing students recite at graduation. |
At the outbreak of World War II, Harper nurses were again called to
military duty. Here, at Camp Grant in Illinois, Harper alumni practice
marching in November 1942. |
During World War II, Harper nurses served both overseas and
domestically, here, in 1943, students learn how to properly bandage
wounds.
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Ruth Owen of the Class of 1945, displays her "probie" uniform. After
six months of probation, the nurses would receive their gray-blue checked gingham
dresses and Harper caps.
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Upon graduation, these 1950 Harper students receive their nurse's cap.
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During the 1970s Harper executives reassessed the nursing program and
deemed that Harper no longer had a viable reason to regard its nursing
program as an essential source for nursing employees. As a result the
students of 1979, shown here at graduation, composed the last Harper
Hospital School of Nursing class.
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