Watts Hospital: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 00:04, 25 February 2025

Watts Hospital was a prominent medical facility located in Durham, North Carolina. Established in the late 19th century, it served the community for several decades before its closure and subsequent repurposing.

History[edit]

Watts Hospital was founded in 1895 by George Washington Watts, a philanthropist and industrialist who played a significant role in the development of Durham. The hospital was initially established to provide medical care to the growing population of the city, which was experiencing rapid industrialization and urbanization.

The original building was constructed in a Colonial Revival style, which was popular at the time. Over the years, the hospital expanded with additional wings and facilities to accommodate the increasing demand for healthcare services.

Closure and Repurposing[edit]

In the 1970s, Watts Hospital faced challenges due to the changing landscape of healthcare and the need for modernization. In 1976, the hospital closed its doors, and its functions were transferred to the newly built Durham Regional Hospital.

After its closure, the historic buildings of Watts Hospital were repurposed to house the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM), a residential high school for gifted students in science and mathematics. The NCSSM campus has preserved much of the original architecture, maintaining the historical significance of the site.

Architecture[edit]

The architecture of Watts Hospital is notable for its Colonial Revival style, characterized by symmetrical facades, brick construction, and classical details. The design reflects the architectural trends of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, emphasizing elegance and functionality.

Legacy[edit]

Watts Hospital played a crucial role in the development of healthcare in Durham and set a precedent for future medical facilities in the region. Its transformation into the NCSSM campus has allowed the historic buildings to continue serving the community in a new capacity, fostering education and innovation.

Related pages[edit]

Watts Hospital[edit]

2008-07-04 NCSSM Watts

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-'''Watts Hospital''' was the first hospital in Durham, North Carolina, operating from 1895 to 1976. It was funded by George W. Watts and initially served the city's white citizens, offering free care to those who couldn't afford it. In 1953, the hospital became public and eventually closed in 1976 when Durham County General Hospital opened. The hospital's campus was later converted into the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in 1980.
+{{DISPLAYTITLE:Watts Hospital}}
+'''Watts Hospital''' was a prominent medical facility located in [[Durham, North Carolina]]. Established in the late 19th century, it served the community for several decades before its closure and subsequent repurposing.
-The original hospital, established in 1895, was located on land donated by George Watts. However, due to the city's growth, a larger facility was built in 1909 at the intersection of Club Boulevard and Broad Street. This new hospital, designed in the Spanish Mission style by architect Bertrand E. Taylor, was expanded in 1926 with the Valinda Beale Watts Pavilion. The hospital was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
+==History==
+Watts Hospital was founded in 1895 by [[George Washington Watts]], a philanthropist and industrialist who played a significant role in the development of Durham. The hospital was initially established to provide medical care to the growing population of the city, which was experiencing rapid industrialization and urbanization.
-Watts Hospital began admitting black patients on a limited basis in the early 1960s, but a referendum in 1966 to fund a larger and integrated hospital was defeated by Durham voters. Despite this setback, the hospital continued to serve the community until its closure in 1976.
+The original building was constructed in a [[Colonial Revival architecture|Colonial Revival]] style, which was popular at the time. Over the years, the hospital expanded with additional wings and facilities to accommodate the increasing demand for healthcare services.
-Notable individuals, such as Brenda Joy Jones, were born at Watts Hospital. Jones later became president of various organizations in North Carolina and advocated for the preservation of Watts as a historic site or a school in the 1970s.<br>{{hospital stub}}
+==Closure and Repurposing==
+In the 1970s, Watts Hospital faced challenges due to the changing landscape of healthcare and the need for modernization. In 1976, the hospital closed its doors, and its functions were transferred to the newly built [[Durham Regional Hospital]].
+After its closure, the historic buildings of Watts Hospital were repurposed to house the [[North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics]] (NCSSM), a residential high school for gifted students in science and mathematics. The NCSSM campus has preserved much of the original architecture, maintaining the historical significance of the site.
+==Architecture==
+The architecture of Watts Hospital is notable for its Colonial Revival style, characterized by symmetrical facades, brick construction, and classical details. The design reflects the architectural trends of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, emphasizing elegance and functionality.
+==Legacy==
+Watts Hospital played a crucial role in the development of healthcare in Durham and set a precedent for future medical facilities in the region. Its transformation into the NCSSM campus has allowed the historic buildings to continue serving the community in a new capacity, fostering education and innovation.
+==Related pages==
+* [[Durham, North Carolina]]
+* [[North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics]]
+* [[George Washington Watts]]
+* [[Colonial Revival architecture]]
+[[Category:Hospitals in North Carolina]]
+[[Category:Defunct hospitals in the United States]]
+[[Category:Buildings and structures in Durham, North Carolina]]
+[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1980]]
+== Watts Hospital ==
+<gallery>
+File:2008-07-04_NCSSM_Watts.jpg|2008-07-04 NCSSM Watts
+</gallery>