⠀
Norwood Hospital will open its impressive new building for public inspection in November, with hospital officials announcing that construction is expected to be finished by then, though patients will not be admitted until January and a formal dedication ceremony is planned for the spring. Staff, trustees, volunteers, and their families will receive an exclusive tour on November 19, followed by a public open house on November 20. If you can come in here and compare with what’s in Boston, then you’ll see your community hospital has everything that you need, remarked hospital communications director Marjorie Clapprood.
The $18.4 million construction project encompasses a five-level building and an adjacent power plant situated on the 5.6-acre site of the former Norwood Civic Center, forming part of an overarching $28 million modernization program that also includes the $2.5 million previously paid to the town for the land. That’s the total cost of bringing the hospital right up into the ’90s, Marjorie Clapprood noted. Associate Administrator David Meadows reported that $4.3 million had already been raised in local donations ranging from a few dollars to $100,000—a fundraising milestone he described as pretty unheard of in Norfolk County—with the bulk of the remaining cost financed through tax-exempt bonds.
The massive addition adds 154,000 square feet of new space (including a 6,000-square-foot power plant), expanding the entire hospital complex to roughly 350,000 square feet and resulting in a net gain of fifty-five patient beds for a total capacity of 320 beds. The 155 new beds offset the closure of approximately 100 older beds in the hospital’s historic East Wing. Modern features include an open-air atrium and courtyard overlooked by patient rooms on the upper two stories, balconies off two solariums, a pediatric playroom, a psychiatric treatment unit, six operating rooms, and four advanced elevators, including two high-speed cars and two full-size beds-accommodating units.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
More Norwood Hospital Stories
-
New Emergency Ward Added To Hospital-This Day In Norwood History-September 25, 1942
New Emergency Ward Added To Hospital-This Day In Norwood History-September 25, 1942
-
Norwood Fireman John F. Lydon Dies at Controls of Ladder Truck-This Day In Norwood History-January 1, 1942
Fatally Stricken From Smoke Inhaled at Dwelling Blaze NORWOOD. Jan. 1—Stricken suddenly from smoke inhaled at a fire a short time previously. Ladderman John F. Lydon, 41, of 38 Press av., a member of the local fire department, died early today at the controls of a ladder truck as he was driving back to the…
-
Rev. Robert McAleer of Norwood Dies-This Day in Norwood History-October 25, 1940
Rev. Robert E. McAleer. 38, curate of St. Catherine’s Catholic Church for the last 12 years, died today at the Norwood Hospital. One of the most popular curates the church ever had, Fr. McAleer organized the St. Catherine’s Fife and Drum Corps which for the last two years has won the Cardinal O’Connell trophy as…
-
Local Woman Has Many Fine Colonial Antiques-This Day in Norwood History-October 16, 1940
Mrs. Daniel H. Philbrook of 145 Walpole st. has an imposing collection of antiques which date back hundreds of years. In a modest dwelling at 145 Walpole st. unknown to hundreds of local residents, is housed some of the finest Colonial antiques in New England. Thirty-five members of the Congregational church had the privilege of…
-
Norwood Man Near Death After Ax Attack, Friend Held-This Day in Norwood History-September 20, 1934
Norwood Man Near Death After Ax Attack, Friend Held-This Day in Norwood History- September 20, 1934
-
Lucky Girl Born to Norwood Couple-This Day In Norwood History-May 1, 1934
In the earliest minutes of May 1, 1934, Norwood welcomed a new resident under circumstances as charming as they were competitive. At precisely 12:40 a.m., the “stork” paid a visit to the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Dequette of 21 Folan Avenue, delivering an eight‑pound baby girl who instantly became the talk of the…
-
Pamela W. Childs First Co-Ed Admitted to Northeastern University College of Pharmacy-This Day in Norwood History-January 4, 1962
Miss Pamela W. Childs, 25 Florence Avenue, Norwood, has been accepted as the first co-ed student in the Northeastern University College of Pharmacy, it was announced today by Dr. Gilbert C. Garland, N.U. Dean of Admissions. In her last year at Norwood Senior High School, Miss Childs, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen M.…
-
This Day In Norwood History-May 6, 1931-Everett School Lot Seems to Be Favored For Post Office Site
Forty prominent citizens of the town assembled in Memorial Hall yesterday afternoon to discuss before representatives from Washington the location for the new Post Office building. Ernest F. Sharp, from the Post Office Department at Washington, and Jerome J. Lawlor, from the Treasury Department will make their report to Washington.Postmaster Albin K. Parker presided. James…
-
George Willett Seeks Senate Seat-This Day In Norwood History- July 1, 1930
George F. Willett, one of Norwood’s most influential civic figures, surprised the region in 1930 by launching a State Senate campaign.
-
Town Considers Buying Civic Property-This Day In Norwood History-April 22, 1930
Norwood awoke on April 22, 1930, to the smoldering remains of one of its proudest civic landmarks. The Norwood Civic Association complex, a six‑building group gifted to the town years earlier by philanthropist George F. Willett, was gutted by a fire that began the previous afternoon and raged into the night. Four of the six structures—Everett Hall, the gymnasium, the office building,…
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.