Kingston General Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Collection
Category
Nursing
Nursing Uniforms
Classification
Nursing
Nursing Uniforms
Accession Number
995002017 a-e
Description
Reproducation nurse's uniform 1886-style; vertical pleated white cotton / polyester bodice with red cotton collar and cuffs; red cross on right sleeve; long white floor length skirt with pleated red band around bottom; long white apron with side sash, red belt, white batiste cap with bow at front.
Reproducation nurse's uniform 1886-style; vertical pleated white cotton / polyester bodice with red cotton collar and cuffs; red cross on right sleeve; long white floor length skirt with pleated red band around bottom; long white apron with side sash, red belt, white batiste cap with bow at front.
Number Of Parts
5
Part Names
a - bodice - Size:
b - skirt - Size:
c - apron - Size:
d - belt - Size:
e - cap - Size:
Dates
1985
1995
circa 1985-1995
Date Remarks
Replica of 1886 style nursing uniform created by Kingston General Hospital Nusring Alumnae
Material
fabric: white; red
Permanent Location
(a) Storage Room 0007, Closet G;
(b) Storage Room 0007, BOX 5;
(c) Storage Room 0007, Closet I;
(d) Storage Room 0007, BOX 15;
(e) Storage Room 0007 Closet B
Condition Remarks
#1: overall condition good; white cotton has yellowed markedly with age; #2: no damage from being on exhibit; suitable to put back on exhibit
Copy Type
Replica
Reference Types
Person
Book
Photo
Websites
Reference Comments
Marilyn Boston; Paul Robertson; reference book compiled: "Information Re Kingston General Hospital School of Nursing Uniforms" to document the collection of uniforms; further references are noted within; numerous photos available at Queen's Archives, see Museum's Index
Canadian Museum of History, "Symbol of a Profession: One Hundred Years of Nurses' Caps," https://www.historymuseum.ca/cmc/exhibitions/hist/infirm/inint01e.html
"For Service to Humanity: Nursing Education at Kingston General Hospital," Museum of Health Care. https://www.museumofhealthcare.ca/explore/exhibitions/forservicetohumanity.html
Research Facts
Reproduction uniform made for Kingston General Hospital School of Nurses' Alumnae to represent uniforms that were first worn by nursing students in the 1886s until the mid-1890s.
Throughout the twentieth century, nurses' uniforms changed, in particular with the rising of hemlines. The nurse's uniform was generally white, and Kingston General Hospital uniforms were once known for "turkey red" hemlines. Different levels of nursing education had different uniforms, in particular different caps, as graduate nurses had black bands on their caps to indicate their level of education.
Exhibit History
Bodice and skirt (a,b) on exhibit in Hall of Honour, Sept. 1995–Jan. 19, 2001; on exhibit at Museum, Jan. 22, 2001-June 9, 2008.