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Roosevelt Island and Public Health History

August 13, 2019 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

abandoned small pox hospital on Roosevelt IslandRoosevelt Island, formerly Blackwell’s Island (and later Welfare Island), has had many layers of medical history. From the construction of the almshouses in the 1830s onward, the island has housed the ill, displaced, criminals and unwanted poor of the city.

On September 8th, the Roosevelt Island Historical Society (RIHS) is set to host a 90 minute walking tour led by Judith Berdy, president of the Roosevelt Island Historical Society, joining over 15 organizations or individuals to kick-off MED NYC, a pilot festival exciting and educating the public about medicine.

This walking tour tells the history of the abandoned hospitals, lunatic asylum and laboratories on the island and their role in the health of New York. The tour starts at the Roosevelt Island visitor center kiosk in Tram plaza at 11 am.

Following the tour, Cornell Tech will be hosting a series of talks and short films about infectious disease.

Registration for the tour is a $20 donation to the RIHS. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the event page.

Learn about all MED NYC events across the city by visiting the event calendar.

Photo of abandoned small pox hospital on Roosevelt Island provided.

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Filed Under: Events, History Tagged With: Medical History, New York City, Public Health, Roosevelt Island, Roosevelt Island Historical Society

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