Andy Gordon will share how, to build a hospital, it takes a village (and a few wars, famine, railroads, and philanthropists.)

“We think it is the duty of Chester County to care for her own.”

After an impassioned appeal from several key local physicians, Chester County Hospital first opened its doors in 1892 as a small ten-bed dispensary located just a few hundred yards from its current location on Marshall Street in West Chester, PA. Before its opening, people living in Chester County with life-threatening injuries and illnesses had to travel to Philadelphia for treatment. With the community’s support, the new Chester County Hospital grew in both size and impact, until one huge monetary gift in 1918 changed the hospital’s legacy forever. Andy Gordon will explore the story of how a small (but growing) town came together to “care for her own” in the midst of wars, famines, strife and prosperity.

Andy Gordon is a longtime resident of Chester County and currently the Director of Business Development at Chester County Hospital. His presentation of the story of the hospital is a popular component of every new hire orientation class at CCH. He is a graduate of the US Naval Academy and a Navy submarine veteran. He and his wife Debbie live in Downingtown where they have raised all 4 of their children.

Admission is Pay as You Wish! A donation is greatly appreciated, but if you are unable to make a donation at this time, a limited number of free tickets are available.

All proceeds benefit the development of future programming and the preservation of the History Center and its collections. The History Center is home to over 750,000 manuscripts and 100,000 photographs, and your donation helps us to preserve and share those resources.
Presentation is via Zoom, and will be recorded and available for 7 days for all registered participants. We will email out a Zoom link the day of the presentation, and email a link to the recording within 48 hours. Note: the Zoom link emailed out the day of the presentation only takes you to the live presentation; the link emailed out the day after will contain the recorded version.

Generously sponsored by the Haverford Trust Company.

GET TICKETS HERE!