Brewster Hospital, former hospital in Florida, United States
Brewster Hospital is a historic building in Jacksonville, Florida that was originally a private home but was converted into a hospital in 1901. The facility included patient beds, operating rooms, and X-ray equipment, and also housed a nursing school that trained Black women in healthcare skills.
The hospital was founded after a major fire in Jacksonville in 1901 when other hospitals refused to serve Black patients. It closed in 1966 after federal laws ended segregation and the facility lost its original purpose.
Brewster Hospital served as a place of hope and community strength for Black residents who were denied medical care elsewhere due to racial segregation. The building stands today as a symbol of resilience and progress for Jacksonville's Black community.
The restored building is now managed by the North Florida Land Trust and welcomes visitors to explore the site. A small museum on the grounds shares the building's history and provides parking for those who visit.
The building was originally a private home and was quickly converted into a hospital after Jacksonville's devastating 1901 fire to serve those in need. It was also one of the first training centers in the country to systematically educate Black women in nursing.
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