THE MARY WASHINGTON HOSPITAL.[81]
The need of a hospital in Fredericksburg had long been felt, and in January, 1897, a band of ladies, led by Mrs. W. Seymour White, invited the physicians and ministers of the city to meet with them and consider the feasibility of undertaking such a work. The medical fraternity pronounced it a necessity and the ministers heartily concurred.
The late Hon. W. Seymour White, at that time Mayor of the city, was deeply interested in the scheme from the beginning and drew up a charter, constitution and by-laws. The formal organization was effected in February, 1897, at a large, general meeting held in the courthouse. Mrs. W. S. White was elected president; Miss Rebecca Smith, vice-president; Miss Bertha Strasburger, secretary; Mrs. C. W. Edrington, treasurer.
Entrance to the Confederate Cemetery at Fredericksburg. (See [page 185])
Lodge Room of Fredericksburg Lodge, No. 4, A. F. & A. M.;
the Lodge that made Washington a Mason.
(See [page 217])
Mrs. White served as president for three terms, when she resigned and her place was filled by Mrs. Walter C. Stearns. The present officers are Mrs. Judge John E. Mason, president; Miss Virginia Knox, vice-president; Mrs. Maurice Hirsh, treasurer, and Mrs. D. C. Bowman, secretary. There is a board of lady managers and an advisory board of seven gentlemen, of whom the Mayor of the city is always one. The membership fee is one dollar per year and there is a large number of names on the roll.
Immediately after the organization of the institution the city was thoroughly canvassed and both money and furnishings were contributed generally by our people, besides by a number of persons living at a distance. As soon as the amount justified the action, a large and suitable building lot, situated on the corner of Fauquier and Sophia streets, was purchased. This lot has a beautiful river view and is directly opposite Chatham, the old historic place, famous both in colonial and recent history.
The one inflexible rule, laid down from the beginning of the work, was that there should be no debt incurred, and the work of raising the necessary funds was a tedious undertaking. Every lady appealed to her friends, and the amount thus collected, together with that realized through holding bazaars, ice cream festivals, entertainments and lectures, was carefully deposited until the sum of fourteen hundred dollars was accumulated, which the ladies thought sufficient to erect a small building.