Kingston General Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Collection
Category
Nursing
Nursing Uniforms
Classification
Nursing
Nursing Uniforms
Accession Number
995002008 a-i
Description
Short-sleeved blue-and-white striped cotton dress (a); calf length; metal snap closure at neck; skirt has two pockets; one left breast pocket, sewn shut except for narrow space at left; four circular rounded plastic shank-style buttons (b-e) held in place by cotter pins (f-i).
Short-sleeved blue-and-white striped cotton dress (a); calf length; metal snap closure at neck; skirt has two pockets; one left breast pocket, sewn shut except for narrow space at left; four circular rounded plastic shank-style buttons (b-e) held in place by cotter pins (f-i).
Number Of Parts
9
Part Names
a - dress - Size:
b-e - buttons - Size: Depth 0.9 cm x Diam. 1.6 cm
f-i - cotter pins - Size: Length 2.0 cm x Width 0.4 cm
"218 1939 [crossed out letter "P"] JUNIOR" printed inside back of collar with black marker; Manufacturer's tag at collar: red thread "MADE BY // Lac-Mac // LONDON, CANADA // SANFORIZED"
Permanent Location
(a) Storage Room 0007
0007 Closet A
(b-i) Storage Room 0010
0010-C5-4
Condition Remarks
#1: Overall condition good
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
(d) - On exhibit at the Museum of Health Care in the East Gallery, small cases #1 and #2 - May 30, 2007-June 9, 2008.