Mansion House Hospital

Mansion House Hospital was a Civil War era hospital located in Alexandria, Virginia. It was established in 1861 and served as a Union Army hospital until 1865. The hospital was housed in a large building that was originally the Mansion House Hotel, hence its name.

History

The Mansion House Hotel was a prominent hotel in Alexandria, Virginia, before the Civil War. With the outbreak of the war, the Union Army took control of Alexandria and converted the hotel into a hospital. The hospital was officially established on May 24, 1861, and was one of the first Union Army hospitals in the South.

The Mansion House Hospital had a capacity of over 500 beds and was staffed by Union Army surgeons and nurses. The hospital treated thousands of soldiers during the course of the war, many of whom were wounded in battles in nearby Virginia and Maryland.

Facilities

The Mansion House Hospital was equipped with the latest medical equipment of the time. The hospital had several wards, each with its own operating room. The hospital also had a pharmacy, a kitchen, and a laundry.

Notable Staff

Among the notable staff of the Mansion House Hospital was Mary Phinney, a nurse who kept a detailed diary of her experiences at the hospital. Her diary provides a valuable insight into the conditions and practices at Civil War era hospitals.

Legacy

The Mansion House Hospital was closed after the end of the Civil War. The building was later used as a private residence and a boarding house before being demolished in the early 20th century. Today, the site of the Mansion House Hospital is occupied by the Inova Alexandria Hospital.

See also

• Civil War Medicine
• Union Army
• Alexandria, Virginia