Fort Gibson 1870s historic hospital reopens
November 2
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On Saturday, November 2, the Fort Gibson Historic Site will have a grand celebration to reopen the historic 1870s Fort Gibson Hospital. The public is invited to come and see all the new exhibits in the newly restored building and to meet the site staff who care for this important history.
After many years of extensive repairs and the dedicated restoration efforts of the OHS construction staff, the 1870s Hospital will open its doors to the public. The 1870s Hospital will serve as Fort Gibson’s new gift shop and will include orientation areas, gallery spaces, site maps, and a replica ward.
Originally built in the 1870s at a cost of $12,000, the post’s hospital featured offices, a dispensary, surgery, and a ward with 12 beds. The building design was an improvement over the first hospital quarters at the fort, designed with airy verandas that encircled the building used in the recovery of hospital patients. In later years, the hospital’s positioning made it the perfect weather station and a place of observation for the Signal Service with commanding views for miles around. Today, while observations from the top of the building are no longer made, visitors can take in the spectacular sights from the covered porches and the open ward.
The hospital is located at 803 North Garrison Avenue, Fort Gibson. Fort Gibson Historic Site is a National Historic Landmark.