1863 Press Photo Original Milwaukee Hospital was a Remodeled Farmhouse

The original Milwaukee Hospital was a remodeled farmhouse on the outskirts of town. The Lutheran Hospital of Milwaukee has the longest history of the three. It was opened as Milwaukee Hospital in 1863 in a converted farmhouse with a 20-bed capacity at the western limits of the city. The hospital was founded by the Institute of Protestant Deaconesses and Deaconess sisters provided the care. It was the first Protestant hospital west of Pittsburgh and many of its early patients were victims of the Civil War or small pox. Milwaukee Hospital's commitment to the needy was tested early. Because many people were fearful of hospitals, there was strong opposition to plans for a new 70-bed facility and in 1883, an arsonist destroyed the structure as it was being built. The fire didn't faze hospital supporters, however, and in 1885 a new three-story building was opened. The hospital's name was changed to Lutheran Hospital of Milwaukee in 1966.

Photo is dated 1863.

Photo measures 10 x 8 inches.