Many people visiting, or working in the hospital today, have little knowledge of its humble beginnings. The Northern General Hospital, Sheffield began life over 120 years ago and has a fascinating history having started life as the Fir Vale Workhouse in the days prior to free medical care for all. The Workhouse also included the Smilter Lane and Herries Road Children's Homes.

Over the years many changes have taken place. Even as late as 1967 when the two hospitals that had originated from the Workhouse - the Fir Vale Infirmary and the City General Hospital were renamed the Northern General Hospital, many of the older generation were still afraid of entering its doors. Looking back to the days of the workhouse and all that it entailed it is easy to understand why these fears remained so strongly and so long in people's memories.

On the 31^st March, the Sheffield Star carried an article about the change of name and ended with these words;

'The change of name will finally kill the workhouse stigma of Fir Vale that has haunted so many old folk on the brink of needing permanent hospital care.'

The stigma may have gone now but there are still people alive today who have personal memories, photos and memorabilia of the Workhouse, Fir Vale Infirmary, City General Hospital or the Children's Homes or who have heard from parents and relatives how things were in days gone by.

The project's aims are to;

• Collect and preserve memories, stories, photos and items of memorabilia so they are not lost to future generations.

• Display items of interest in display cases at various safe locations around the hospital.

• From time to time hold exhibitions to stimulate interest and knowledge in the hospital's history.

We would like to hear from anyone who has memories, memorabilia, stories or photos of the hospital. Perhaps you or members of your family worked there. If you or anyone else you know can help expand our collection then please contact us.

Items of interest can be left at the Clock Tower Reception Mon – Fri 10am - 4pm or posted to;

Northern General Hospital History Project
c/o Clock Tower Reception
Northern General Hospital
Herries Road, Sheffield S5 7AU

Tel: 0114 2715879

Email:  ngh.archives@blueyonder.co.uk

N.B. We will also accept memories, memorabilia, stories & photographs relating to any of the old Sheffield Hospitals.

This message has been posted on behalf of Lyn Howsam at The Northern General History Project.

   
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