Brockport Community Museum will hold two dedication ceremonies on Thursday, November 6, celebrating the history of Brockport’s hospitals.
A new interpretive panel on the Early History of Brockport’s Hospital will be dedicated at 11:30 a.m. at the Main Entrance to Strong West on West Avenue, Brockport. Following the closure of the Cochranes’ hospital in 1930 (see Historic Marker information below), the Brockport Hospital Aid Association mobilized to raise funds to replace it. As a result of its efforts, the Brockport Central Hospital opened on the site in 1933. Led by hospital administrator May H. Epke, further fund-raising led to the opening in 1951 of the 51-bed Lakeside Memorial Hospital on West Avenue. In 1963, Epke led another capital campaign that added significantly to hospital facilities and services. Epke assumes pride of place in the upper left of the interpretive panel as its presiding “spirit.” This panel was made possible thanks to the sponsorship of the University of Rochester Medical Center.
A new Local Hospitals Historic Marker will be dedicated at 12:30 p.m. at 196 Main Street, Brockport. Bertha and George Cochrane moved their private hospital from North Main Street to this site in 1927 and made its facilities widely available to local doctors. These included 16 patient rooms, a surgical division, and a maternity ward. This marker is supported by “the old hospital” building owner, Norman Giancursio.
Those who were born in the “old hospital” on Main Street are invited to join in a group photo at the marker dedication.
