From the archives: Why are there sinks in some administrative offices in Pavilion A?

Drop into one of the older administrative offices in Pavilion A, and you’ll find it outfitted with a desk, computer, bookshelves—and a sink? Yes, strange as it may seem, a few office workers can wash their hands without walking out the door.

The sinks are an anachronistic holdover from the era (1951 to 1972) when Pavilion A housed the JGH School of Nursing. Student nurses occupied dormitory rooms on many of the building’s upper floors, and although the young women used communal bathrooms, they had the convenience of a washstand in their rooms.

After the school closed (because nursing education was centralized by the provincial government), many dorm rooms were renovated and most of the sinks disappeared. Even so, a little bit of porcelain history lingers on in some of the pavilion’s unlikeliest corners.

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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.