Perry Memorial Hospital marks 100 years

PRINCETON — Julia Rackley Perry, a Malden native, saw the value of providing community health care to relieve the suffering of others.

When she died in 1913, Perry left in her will more than $50,000 to establish a public hospital in Princeton, after years of failed private and public attempts at a hospital, Perry made it a possibility.

The city of Princeton passed an ordinance in 1916 to officially establish the hospital and proceeded with construction. In 1918, the nation was faced with World War I and the Spanish Flu. Supplies were becoming scarce, delayed and expensive. Labor and transportation options were limited. And communities were faced with quarantine due to recurring influenza outbreaks. The Spanish Flu even claimed the life of Parker Noble Berry, a Princeton native who was hired as architect for the new hospital.

Although Perry Memorial Hospital was expected to open on Nov. 1, 1918, construction was delayed for 20 months. Julia Rackley Perry Memorial Hospital finally opened on June 17, 1920. It sat where the Medical Office Building is now and had only enough space for 28 patients and five babies.

A century ago, global challenges deeply affected the small community and almost prevented Perry Memorial Hospital from ever opening. Those same types of challenges have threatened the hospital ever since, but it has endured. The past 100 years have been a testament to the hospital employees and their perseverance, their unyielding desire to care for the community.

Today, the Perry Memorial Hospital community has worked to position itself for modern needs and long-term care into the next century. In 1920, who would have ever thought the hospital would be at this point?

The organization has grown to boast eight clinics, 25 Perry-employed providers, dozens of visiting specialty providers, five facilities (including the new Family Health Clinic), three volunteer groups that support the hospital’s needs (the Auxiliary, Foundation and Gold Coats), an emergency department staffed 24/7 by board-certified physicians, mental health services for all ages and most importantly, our amazing staff.

One hundred years ago, Perry Memorial Hospital faced the Spanish Flu, and now the employees and community are rallying together to endure the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the ability to celebrate is limited, this year is still a great opportunity to leave a mark on 2020 and the 100th anniversary.