Whittaker Memorial Hospital, hospital in Newport News, Virginia, United States
Whittaker Memorial Hospital is a historic building in Newport News, Virginia, designed by African American architects William Henry Moses Jr. and Charles Thaddeus Russell in 1943. The structure features a T-shaped layout with concrete construction, yellow and brown brick walls arranged in bands, and architectural influences from Art Deco and Moderne styles.
The hospital was founded in 1908 and initially operated from a rented house before moving to a simple wooden building in 1915, followed by the current structure built in 1943. It closed in 1985 but was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009, becoming a preserved landmark of African American community history.
The hospital was built by and for the Black community, showing a strong sense of purpose and determination during a time of segregation. It reflects how local African American doctors and architects worked together to serve their neighbors when quality healthcare options were limited.
The building is now used as private residential apartments and is not open to visitors, though it can be viewed from nearby streets. It is important to respect the private nature of the property while appreciating its architecture and historical significance from outside.
The building was transformed in 2018 into affordable housing for low-income families while preserving original features like high ceilings, wide hallways, and ceramic tiles from the delivery rooms. This restoration shows how historic structures can gain new purpose while keeping their stories alive.
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