An Exhibit from Archives & Special Collections, A.C. Long Health Sciences Library
Hammer Building, Lower Level 2
January 29-May 11, 2018
In April 1917 the United States, breaking its long tradition of isolation from European affairs, declared war on Germany in hopes of making World War I into “A War to End All Wars.”
As Americans rushed to do their part for the war effort, Presbyterian Hospital, now part of New York-Presbyterian Hospital, responded to the call for doctors and nurses to serve in the war by organizing U.S. Army Base Hospital No. 2.
To commemorate their service during this centennial of the end of World War I, a new exhibit tells the unit’s story through original letters, documents, and photographs held by the Health Sciences Library’s Archives & Special Collections. Included are a copy of the Base Hospital newspaper, The Dooins; a nurse’s diary open to the entry for November 11, 1918, the day the war ended; a program for Hello Etretat!, a musical comedy staged by unit members; vintage postcards; and a menu from the ship on which they returned home at war’s end.