Kingston General Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Collection
Category
Nursing
Nursing Uniforms
Classification
Nursing
Nursing Uniforms
Accession Number
995002018 a-d
Description
1890s-style reproduction nurse's uniform consisting of a white bodice with high puffed sleeve; red cross on right upper sleeve; long tailored red undersleeve; long white skirt with plain red band around bottom; white bib; cap with lace edging and black band
1890s-style reproduction nurse's uniform consisting of a white bodice with high puffed sleeve; red cross on right upper sleeve; long tailored red undersleeve; long white skirt with plain red band around bottom; white bib; cap with lace edging and black band
Number Of Parts
4
Part Names
a - bodice - Size:
b - skirt - Size:
c - bib - Size:
d - cap - Size:
Dates
1985
1995
circa 1985-1995
Date Remarks
1890s style reproduction nurse's uniform created by Kingston General Hospital Nursing Alumnae
Material
fabric: white; red
Permanent Location
(a) Storage Room 0007, Closet G
(b) Storage Room 0007, BOX 5
(c) Storage Room 0007, BOX 14
(d) Storage Room 0007
0007 Closet C
Condition Remarks
overall condition good; white cotton has yellowed markedly with age
Copy Type
reproduction
Reference Types
Person
Book
Photo
Website
Reference Comments
Marilyn Boston; Paul Robertson; 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
Reproduction uniform made for Kingston General Hospital Nurses' Alumnae to represent uniforms that were first worn by Kingston General Hospital Nursing School students in the 1890s until around 1906. Slight modifications were made to this uniform during this period.
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
(a) On exhibit at the Museum of Health Care in the East Gallery, small cases #1 and #2 - May 30, 2007-June 9, 2008.