Ring (a), which consists of a circular metal band with an oblong, six-sided crest; the inner surface of the band has three engraved markings; the ring arrived in a square blue paper box; the bottom (b) has an inner padded cream velvet lining with a groove to accomodate the ring, and the lid (c) fit…
Ring (a), which consists of a circular metal band with an oblong, six-sided crest; the inner surface of the band has three engraved markings; the ring arrived in a square blue paper box; the bottom (b) has an inner padded cream velvet lining with a groove to accomodate the ring, and the lid (c) fits completely over part (b) and has markings on its top surface.
Number Of Parts
3
Part Names
a - ring - Size: Diam. 1.5 cm. x Depth 1.5 cm
b - box bottom - Size: Length 4.0 cm. x Width 3.2 cm. x Depth 1.5 cm
c - box lid - Size: Length 4.0 cm. x Width 3.2 cm. x Depth 1.8 cm
Provenance
Owned and used by Nora Valleau, Kingston General Hospital Nursing Graduate class of 1928; received after her death
The crest of the ring features raised metal letters around its edge: "KINGSTON GENERAL HOSPITAL // 28"; the crest is also raised metal and shows an anchor surrounded by a three-pointed crown above a U-shaped symbol superimposed over two crossed lines; the inner engraved marks read "N M V"; below this there are maker's marks stamped into the metal: "K & D" preceded by two illegible marks; the top of the box is printed with "DIAMOND MERCHANTS // Kinnear D'Esterre [in cursive] // KINGSTON" in white ink; in one corner, "N. M. V." is written in blue pen.
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0010
0010-C5-2
Condition Remarks
The ring shows minor signs of wear in form of slight scratches on the surface of the metal; there were no dents and no sign of corrosion.
Copy Type
Original
Reference Types
Document
Website
Reference Comments
"Oral History Transcript for Nora Valleau" by Rona Rustige
Kingston Health Sciences Centre website, "KGH School of Nursing," (https://kingstonhsc.ca/kgh-school-nursing)
Research Facts
The first graduating class of the Kingston General Hospital School of Nursing was in 1888; the school was created in order to educate nurses as the demand for them increased, as well as providing a labour force to the hospital. When the first nurses graduated, they were given a certificate of completion, twenty five dollars, and a nursing medal. Over the years, nurses were sometimes given pins and/or rings to commemorate their graduation from the school.