Henry Mietkiewicz — June 26, 2019

From the archives: Health care … and farming

Dr. Charles Gomberg recalls that during the 1930s, the newly opened JGH was still surrounded by a great deal of open land. The field on the west side of the hospital was used to grow vegetables for patients’ meals and as a recreation area for patients and staff. In the photo, Côte-Sainte-Catherine Road can be seen at the upper left.

In the 1930s, the JGH used the extra land around the hospital to grow its own vegetables, which were often harvested using horses and a wagon. Not only was money saved in feeding patients during the Great Depression, vegetables could be preserved at their peak of freshness and then served to patients during the winter.

The JGH also used part of its western property for tennis courts (lower right) and for giving patients a place to relax on Adirondack chairs (centre) while enjoying a view of Côte-Sainte-Catherine Rd. (upper left).

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The Jewish General Hospital’s 85^th anniversary is an ideal occasion to take a glimpse into the past. By remembering the extraordinary efforts of the hospital’s founders, supporters, staff and volunteers, we honour the enduring legacy of the JGH.

Look for a new scrapbook item every week during 2019 in JGH News.