From the Hallmarks of Mercy

By Linda Werner, Mercy Health Foundation

The Hallmarks of Mercy exhibit, located in the lower level of Mercy Medical Center, traces the history of the hospital from its founding in 1891. The display includes numerous historical artifacts that have been retained or returned to Mercy over the years. And, individuals who have shared Mercy's history continue to add to the collection. Some items are added to display cases in the Hallmarks of History corridor and others are preserved in the archives of Mercy's Clark Family Health Science Library.

Within the past few months, three unique items have been donated. Julie Allen brought in the commemorative plate pictured above which shows the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother's [St Mary’s Hospital] hospital as it looked in the early 20th century.

Another recent acquisition is an invitation to graduation ceremonies at the Mercy Medical School of Nursing in 1919. It was brought in by Jerome Best, a nephew of a 1919 graduate. Accompanying it was a graduation program printed as a community service by CastlePierce, another important part of Oshkosh's history.

In July, Affinity employees Jessica Ebsch and Amy Ann Tharp brought in a picture post card of the old St. Mary's Hospital that had been printed in Germany and mailed from one Sister to another on November 2, 1908. It was found in an antique shop in LaValle, Wisconsin!

If you haven't visited the Hallmarks of Mercy, stop in at any time or check out the (incomplete) digital version.   A few of the Hallmarks of Mercy panels (not all) have been digitized.