History

Collage of historical photos including original investor group of nurses horse drawn tools for building and the original building

About Monadnock Community Hospital

History

1923 - 2023 100 YEARS

View our slideshow with historical photos –
Celebrating 100 years at Monadnock Community Hospital

ARTICLE SERIES

MCH Anniversary Article Series 1915-1923

MCH Anniversary Article Series 1923-1949

MCH Anniversary Article Series 1950-1970

MCH Anniversary Article Series 1971-1991

Nestled in the heart of Peterborough, New Hampshire, Monadnock Community Hospital (MCH) stands as a testament to the enduring commitment to community health.

Opened in 1923, our hospital has been an unwavering pillar of support for the Monadnock Region. From its humble beginnings, MCH has evolved into a beacon of accessible, high-quality, and value-based healthcare. Our journey is interwoven with the community’s growth, and our history reflects a continuous dedication to improving the health and vitality of those we serve.

From the tireless efforts of our healthcare professionals to the unwavering support of the community, MCH’s history is a collaborative journey that echoes the values engraved in our mission.

Join us in celebrating the moments that have shaped Monadnock Community Hospital, where the past becomes a foundation for an even healthier and more vibrant future.

Journey Through Time: Throwback Thursday

Join us every Thursday as we journey back in time to explore the rich history of Monadnock Community Hospital and our Peterborough community. Our Throwback Thursday campaign showcases fascinating stories and historical photos, celebrating the progress and community spirit that have defined us for over a century. Discover the moments that continue to inspire our mission and connect with our shared heritage.

Legacy in Photos

1933 - The Hospital’s first X-ray machine was purchased in 1926, representing a scientific leap forward in diagnosis

Dr. Chandler and an early ether machine at his Family Medicine Practice

Special Care Nurses pictured: Donna Proudfoot, Mrs Mabel Larson, unknown, Jane McGettigan, Janet Andrews Dow, and Phyllis Phelps

Team for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer benefit walk in the 1990s

1958 - Participating in a Disaster Nursing Training program in 1958 were Minnie Hayden, Catherine L "Hodgie" Hodgen, Rachel Towle, Hazel Cadwell, unknown, Lillian Mahoney — 1958 – Participating in a Disaster Nursing Training program in 1958 were Minnie Hayden, Catherine L “Hodgie” Hodgen, Rachel Towle, Hazel Cadwell, unknown, Lillian Mahoney

1976 - Aerial photo of the hospital campus — 1976 – Aerial photo of the hospital campus

1920s – Doctors at the train depot in Peterborough

The Parmelee house during construction 1910s

Group of medical surgical nurses from the 1970s

A black-and-white photograph of a nursery room with a fireplace, a chair, and several cribs along the wall. The room has a simple, yet cozy, appearance, reflecting the care environment for newborns in a historical hospital setting.

Construction of the Parmelee House with horses

1917 - Robert M. Parmelee donated his newly built summer home which would become a community hospital — 1917 – Robert M. Parmelee donated his newly built summer home which would become a community hospital

Nursing staff circa 1945: Ethel Record, Nellie Evans, Maud Miles, Superintendent, Madelyn Hopkins, Mae Bunce, unknown, Marian Adams, Eveline Senechal, Leah Hill, Toini Jukua Taylor, Edie Johnson — Nursing staff circa 1945 – Ethel Record, Nellie Evans, Maud Miles, Superintendent, Madelyn Hopkins, Mae Bunce, unknown, Marian Adams, Eveline Senechal, Leah Hill, Toini Jukua Taylor, Edie Johnson

A photo of a group of doctors from the hospital archives. Pictured: unknown, Dr. Charles Harrington, 3 unknown, Dr. William Wilkins, 2 unknown, Dr. Loren Richards, Dr. Nathaniel Cheever, Dr. Frank Foster, Dr. Charles Cutler, unknown, Dr. Donald Clark, Dr. Francis Wozmak, Dr. Harry Morse, Dr. Wilkins, Dr. Claire Cayward

1923 - Opening day of the original hospital this photo appeared on the front page of the Peterborough Transcript on July 5, 1923. Drs. Keyes, Wesselhoeft, Smith, Cutler, Nutter, Warner, Stevens, Richards, Holmes, Hatch, Congdon, Tibetts, Cotton, Morse, Cheever, Pease, MacAusland, Harrington, Lowell, Parker, Grimes, Jameson, Wilkins, Jackson, Foster, Brown — 1923 – Opening day of the original hospital this photo appeared on the front page of the Peterborough Transcript on July 5, 1923. Drs. Keyes, Wesselhoeft, Smith, Cutler, Nutter, Warner, Stevens, Richards, Holmes, Hatch, Congdon, Tibetts, Cotton, Morse, Cheever, Pease, MacAusland, Harrington, Lowell, Parker, Grimes, Jameson, Wilkins, Jackson, Foster, Brown

1972 - The theme of the 1972 Chrysanthemum Ball was "Islands" with a tropical atmosphere — 1972 – The theme of the 1972 Chrysanthemum Ball was “Islands” with a tropical atmosphere

1979 - Medical Team 1979: William Collins, Mary Elizabeth Anderson, Robert Grassi, William Julian, Bruce I Brodkin, Theodore Lee, Paul Switzer, Robert Bailey, Franis M Woods, Louis Wiederhold, Watson Reid, Edward B Twitchell, Charles Seigel, John Patterson, Mark Kelley, Ian Ferrier — 1979 – Medical Team 1979: William Collins, Mary Elizabeth Anderson, Robert Grassi, William Julian, Bruce I Brodkin, Theodore Lee, Paul Switzer, Robert Bailey, Franis M Woods, Louis Wiederhold, Watson Reid, Edward B Twitchell, Charles Seigel, John Patterson, Mark Kelley, Ian Ferrier

1950 - The Board of Trustees 1950: George Stewart, Claire Cayward, Frances Donovan, G A Morrison, Perkins Bass, Karl Musser, Al Bunce, Harold Fuller, 5 unknown, Reverend McKee — 1950 – The Board of Trustees 1950: George Stewart, Claire Cayward, Frances Donovan, G A Morrison, Perkins Bass, Karl Musser, Al Bunce, Harold Fuller, 5 unknown, Reverend McKee

In 1974 the Medical Team reaches 29 members. Pictured: Robert Slade, Alfred Chandler, D Glyn Millard, Herb Schofield, C Wozmak, Theodore Lee, Robert Bailey, Louis Wiederhold, Paul Switzer, Fred Richardson, Robert Wellwood, Edward B Twitchell, Robert Grassi, Owen Matthewson, Charles Seigel, Peter Jeffries, John Meehan, and Bruce I Brodkin

Boston Med Flight takes off from the MCH parking lot after an in-service training session

1966 - Antrim Hospital Aid members circa 1966: Barbara Shea, Priscilla Hurlin, Marie Boorum, Ellie Lane and Mable Staples — 1966 – Antrim Hospital Aid members circa 1966: Barbara Shea, Priscilla Hurlin, Marie Boorum, Ellie Lane and Mable Staples

1915 - Robert M Parmelee and Alicia Elizabeth Parker Parmelee built Evergreen, their summer home in Peterborough — 1915 – Robert M Parmelee and Alicia Elizabeth Parker Parmelee built Evergreen, their summer home in Peterborough

1923 – Drs. Cutler, Foster, Harrington, Warner, the original medical team at MCH

1950 - Medical Team — 1950 – Medical Team

1911 – National Guard Troops marching on Main Street

1940s - In the 1940s it was common practice for hearses to be used as ambulances. Funeral homes handled ambulance calls as well as funeral transportation. The vehicles were bought as combination hearses/ambulances. — 1940s – In the 1940s it was common practice for hearses to be used as ambulances. Funeral homes handled ambulance calls as well as funeral transportation. The vehicles were bought as combination hearses/ambulances.

1923 - Dr. Charles Cutler was a Peterborough native — 1923 – Dr. Charles Cutler was a Peterborough native

1923 - Operating room A black-and-white photograph of an early operating room with a surgical table, various medical instruments, oxygen tanks, and equipment. The room has tiled walls and a sterile appearance, highlighting the medical practices of the time.

1915 - Site work was labor intensive and involved both horse power and manual labor — 1915 – Site work was labor intensive and involved both horse power and manual labor

1961 - The early Hospital was made to look as much like a cheerful home as possible, with a small kitchen on each floor. As the Hospital grew, so did its dietary needs, leading to expansions. Marjorie Haselton was a MCH dietician from 1935-1974. — 1961 – The early Hospital was made to look as much like a cheerful home as possible, with a small kitchen on each floor. As the Hospital grew, so did its dietary needs, leading to expansions. Marjorie Haselton was a MCH dietician from 1935-1974.

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View our slideshow with historical photos - Celebrating 100 years at Monadnock Community Hospital

ARTICLE SERIES

MCH Anniversary Article Series 1915-1923 MCH Anniversary Article Series 1923-1949 MCH Anniversary Article Series 1950-1970 MCH Anniversary Article Series 1971-1991 Nestled in the heart of Peterborough, New Hampshire, Monadnock Community Hospital (MCH) stands as a testament to the enduring commitment to community health. Opened in 1923, our hospital has been an unwavering pillar of support for the Monadnock Region. From its humble beginnings, MCH has evolved into a beacon of accessible, high-quality, and value-based healthcare. Our journey is interwoven with the community's growth, and our history reflects a continuous dedication to improving the health and vitality of those we serve. From the tireless efforts of our healthcare professionals to the unwavering support of the community, MCH's history is a collaborative journey that echoes the values engraved in our mission. Join us in celebrating the moments that have shaped Monadnock Community Hospital, where the past becomes a foundation for an even healthier and more vibrant future.

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