Kingston General Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Collection
Category
Nursing
Nursing Uniforms
Classification
Nursing
Nursing Uniforms
Accession Number
995002006 a-o
Description
Short-sleeved white cotton nurse's uniform dress (a); red cross on right sleeve; small left breast pocket and patch pocket on skirt; snap closure at neck; seven round flat plastic shank-style buttons (b-h) and seven cotter pins (i-o) on sleeves and bodice.
Short-sleeved white cotton nurse's uniform dress (a); red cross on right sleeve; small left breast pocket and patch pocket on skirt; snap closure at neck; seven round flat plastic shank-style buttons (b-h) and seven cotter pins (i-o) on sleeves and bodice.
Marked with "1939"; name tag "Velma Johnston" in red inside collar.
Permanent Location
(a) Storage Room 0007
0007 Closet A
(b-o) Storage Room 0010
0010 C5-4
Temporary Location
(i): On exhibit: "For Service to Humanity: Nursing Education at Kingston General Hospital," Nov. 13, 2008 (in restored room 1016).
Condition Remarks
#1: Overall condition good; white cotton yellowed slightly; cape worn slightly; #3: white cotton has yellowed slightly
Copy Type
Original
Reference Types
Person
Book
Photo
Websites
Reference Comments
Marilyn Boston; reference book compiled: "Information Re KGH 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
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
Artefact (h) displayed at special Mass for nurses, St. Mary's Cathedral, Sunday, May 8, 2005, 11:15 a.m.; Kingston General Hospital Nursing Alumnae 2005 Special exhibit, Museum of Health Care, 20 May 2005-24 June 2005 (h only)
(d) - On exhibit at the Museum of Health Care in the East Gallery, small cases #1 and #2 - May 30, 2007-June 9, 2008; (f,g) on loan for exhibit, "Uni-Forming . . . Wearing the Uniform" at the Musee Beaulne, Coaticook, Quebec, Jan. 2008-30 Oct. 2008.