Kingston General Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Collection
Category
Nursing
Nursing Uniforms
Classification
Nursing
Nursing Uniforms
Accession Number
995002016 a-l
Description
Junior nurse's uniform; blue-and-white-striped cotton dress (a); short sleeve; calf length; two pockets to skirt; one left breast pocket; white starched bib (b-c); and apron (d-e), collar (f-g), belt (h-j), and cuffs (k-l)
Junior nurse's uniform; blue-and-white-striped cotton dress (a); short sleeve; calf length; two pockets to skirt; one left breast pocket; white starched bib (b-c); and apron (d-e), collar (f-g), belt (h-j), and cuffs (k-l)
Number Of Parts
12
Part Names
a - dress - Size:
b-c - bib x 2 - Size:
d-e - apron x 2 - Size: Length 77.6 cm x Width 1.8 m
Individual pieces marked with "1939J"; (a-d, g-l) have standard nametags: "M. Susan Woods"; maker's tag to inside of dress collar: "SIZE 32 // Lac Mac // LONDON, CANADA // SANFORIZED"
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.
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 loan for exhibit, "Uni-Forming . . . Wearing the Uniform" at the Musee Beaulne, Coaticook, Quebec, Jan. 2008-30 Oct. 2008.