History Tour: The Victorian Corridor for EHOD 2024
14th Sep 2024 12pm - 3pm
British Summer Time
British Summer Time
at Royal Victoria Hospital
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Event Details
Join
us for a captivating journey through the medical and social history of
Belfast. Archivist Stanley Hawkins will unveil hidden stories of the Royal
Victoria Hospital, a late-Victorian landmark of the city. Step back in time
to 1903, when the RVH opened its doors as a beacon of hope in a rapidly
growing Belfast. Discover how this state-of-the-art facility revolutionized
healthcare in the city.
Replacing the original General Hospital on Frederick Street, the Royal opened its doors on the Grosvenor Road in 1903 to serve the city's growing population. The grand building, designed by Henman and Cooper Architects, with later extensions by Young and Mackenzie, boasted cutting-edge technology and was one of the first air-conditioned public buildings in the world. The original wards of the hospital extended out from the original Victorian Corridor, each one leading to a balcony with views over trees, green space and tennis courts.
Although its wards were closed with the construction of the new Phase One hospital in the early 2000s, the Victorian Corridor remains a key part of the hospital today and is also home to a wide range of historical artefacts. Memorial plaques are dedicated to some of the best-known figures in Belfast civic and medical history, including Harland, Ismay, Pirrie, Mulholland, Whitla and Sinclair. The ‘Good Samaritan’ stained-glass window, originally installed in the General Hospital, is another highlight, alongside bedplates in remembrance of the hospital’s numerous benefactors. Fascinating archival photographs of the hospital’s staff and community document more than a century of transformation and innovation in the hospital itself and the broader health service.
Stanley's tour will delve into the fascinating history of the RVH, exploring not just its ground-breaking medical practices but also its role in the city's social fabric. This special event offers a unique opportunity to experience the Victorian Corridor first-hand. Whether you're a Belfast local or a curious visitor, it promises to be a captivating journey through the city's past.
Replacing the original General Hospital on Frederick Street, the Royal opened its doors on the Grosvenor Road in 1903 to serve the city's growing population. The grand building, designed by Henman and Cooper Architects, with later extensions by Young and Mackenzie, boasted cutting-edge technology and was one of the first air-conditioned public buildings in the world. The original wards of the hospital extended out from the original Victorian Corridor, each one leading to a balcony with views over trees, green space and tennis courts.
Although its wards were closed with the construction of the new Phase One hospital in the early 2000s, the Victorian Corridor remains a key part of the hospital today and is also home to a wide range of historical artefacts. Memorial plaques are dedicated to some of the best-known figures in Belfast civic and medical history, including Harland, Ismay, Pirrie, Mulholland, Whitla and Sinclair. The ‘Good Samaritan’ stained-glass window, originally installed in the General Hospital, is another highlight, alongside bedplates in remembrance of the hospital’s numerous benefactors. Fascinating archival photographs of the hospital’s staff and community document more than a century of transformation and innovation in the hospital itself and the broader health service.
Stanley's tour will delve into the fascinating history of the RVH, exploring not just its ground-breaking medical practices but also its role in the city's social fabric. This special event offers a unique opportunity to experience the Victorian Corridor first-hand. Whether you're a Belfast local or a curious visitor, it promises to be a captivating journey through the city's past.