DeGraff Memorial Hospital, transcribed article and photos (1865-1965 Centennial).jpg
Dublin Core
Title
DeGraff Memorial Hospital, transcribed article and photos (1865-1965 Centennial).jpg
Description
IN 1964 DeGraff Memorial Hospital completed its Fiftieth Anniversary Year. Perhaps its most significant year since the hospital was founded half-a-century ago by dedicated citizens whose foresight and devotion to progress are much in our minds and hearts today.
The Golden Anniversary, June, 1964, marked the opening of the first phase of the New DeGraff Memorial Hospital.
Later in 1965, Phase II of the new hospital building program will be finished bringing its capacity to 190 beds. Then the renovation of the new wings in the old hospital will be started, however, this is but one step in coping with the evolving needs of our community. As time goes on, more demands will be placed on the existing facilities.
We must remember that the man who gave DeGraff Memorial Hospital its start, and whose generosity was largely responsible for the present expansion program, is no longer with us. However, LeGrand DeGraff left more than a bequest in money. His bequest of enthusiasm and dedication will grow in importance as the years go by. We are fortunate in the Tona- wandas to have many public spirited citizens who have demonstrated their support of the hospital in the past, and we are sure that all our citizens will pledge to continue the work that Mr. DeGraff carried out during his lifetime.
THE story of hospital care in the Tonawandas, as in most communities, traces far back through the years to a time long before a fully operational and professionally staffed hospital actually opened its doors. A small group of businessmen in the community made a start as early as 1880, but support and understanding were lacking and the efforts went on and on. In 1901, a successful Niagara County farmer, Lyman Ballard, decided on his own that the Tonawandas needed a hospital. In his declining years, he announced that he would endow such an institution to be built in North Tonawanda, but before his lawyers could prepare the proper documents, he died. History does not record it, but perhaps he expired for lack of the very care he wished to see provided.
For several years hence various organizations held various functions and through their efforts raised funds but still this was not enough. In 1909 the professionals took a hand and organized a fund campaign. The efforts continued for years and ultimately the State Charities Aid Association was asked to make a survey and report the question and estimated that a minimum cost would be $30,000 and the community could not afford to mount a campaign for that much money.
But the idea didn't die completely, as a man who held a belief considered startling in his day, the belief that a person enjoying material success owed a debt of gratitude to his community. LeGrand Simson DeGraff was as aware as anyone of the need for hospital facilities in the Tonawandas, and did not believe it was beyond reach, took a hand in the project. In the spring of 1913, DeGraff, together with an Army surgeon, Dr. John A. Rafter and the Mayor, were convinced that it could be done and would be well worth the effort. They rounded up support in the business community of the Tonawandas and DeGraff said that he and his associates were prepared to foot the entire bill for a brand new hospital building, equipped and ready to operate, at a cost not to exceed $40,000.
There were two main conditions - that the indigent of the communities were to receive free hospital care, and the two cities were to maintain the hospital property. If they failed to meet these conditions for as long as two months, the property would revert to the donors for disposal with the proceeds to be divided according to the proportion of each donor's original contribution.
The Golden Anniversary, June, 1964, marked the opening of the first phase of the New DeGraff Memorial Hospital.
Later in 1965, Phase II of the new hospital building program will be finished bringing its capacity to 190 beds. Then the renovation of the new wings in the old hospital will be started, however, this is but one step in coping with the evolving needs of our community. As time goes on, more demands will be placed on the existing facilities.
We must remember that the man who gave DeGraff Memorial Hospital its start, and whose generosity was largely responsible for the present expansion program, is no longer with us. However, LeGrand DeGraff left more than a bequest in money. His bequest of enthusiasm and dedication will grow in importance as the years go by. We are fortunate in the Tona- wandas to have many public spirited citizens who have demonstrated their support of the hospital in the past, and we are sure that all our citizens will pledge to continue the work that Mr. DeGraff carried out during his lifetime.
THE story of hospital care in the Tonawandas, as in most communities, traces far back through the years to a time long before a fully operational and professionally staffed hospital actually opened its doors. A small group of businessmen in the community made a start as early as 1880, but support and understanding were lacking and the efforts went on and on. In 1901, a successful Niagara County farmer, Lyman Ballard, decided on his own that the Tonawandas needed a hospital. In his declining years, he announced that he would endow such an institution to be built in North Tonawanda, but before his lawyers could prepare the proper documents, he died. History does not record it, but perhaps he expired for lack of the very care he wished to see provided.
For several years hence various organizations held various functions and through their efforts raised funds but still this was not enough. In 1909 the professionals took a hand and organized a fund campaign. The efforts continued for years and ultimately the State Charities Aid Association was asked to make a survey and report the question and estimated that a minimum cost would be $30,000 and the community could not afford to mount a campaign for that much money.
But the idea didn't die completely, as a man who held a belief considered startling in his day, the belief that a person enjoying material success owed a debt of gratitude to his community. LeGrand Simson DeGraff was as aware as anyone of the need for hospital facilities in the Tonawandas, and did not believe it was beyond reach, took a hand in the project. In the spring of 1913, DeGraff, together with an Army surgeon, Dr. John A. Rafter and the Mayor, were convinced that it could be done and would be well worth the effort. They rounded up support in the business community of the Tonawandas and DeGraff said that he and his associates were prepared to foot the entire bill for a brand new hospital building, equipped and ready to operate, at a cost not to exceed $40,000.
There were two main conditions - that the indigent of the communities were to receive free hospital care, and the two cities were to maintain the hospital property. If they failed to meet these conditions for as long as two months, the property would revert to the donors for disposal with the proceeds to be divided according to the proportion of each donor's original contribution.
Date
1965
Collection
Citation
“DeGraff Memorial Hospital, transcribed article and photos (1865-1965 Centennial).jpg,” North Tonawanda History, accessed December 21, 2024, https://nthistory.com/items/show/3881.