The unveiling of the painting of William R. Rust at the Mary Bridge Childrens' Hospital. The first anniversary of the hospital would be commemorated by the Board of Directors on April 4, 1956. The portrait honors the memory of the late Rust, whose estate provided the funds to build and partially maintain the Rust wing of the hospital. The portrait was hung on April 1st by Rust's granddaughter Mrs. Thomas Murphy (Billie Jean Rust), center, who was passing through enroute from Hawaii to her home in St. Paul, Minnesota.To Mrs. Murphy's left is Gersham Rowland, past administrator of the Rust Estate. To her right is her mother Mrs. Margaret Smith, past president of the Tacoma Orthopedic Society. The unveiling of the portrait was the highlight of the volunteer tea. Rust, who died in 1928, was prominent in Tacoma business, social and political affairs. He had business enterprises in Alaska and Tacoma, including the Tacoma Smelter. (TNT 4/1/1956, pg D-4)

Rust, Billie Jean; Portraits; Mary Bridge Childrens Hospital (Tacoma); Rust, William R.; Smith, Margaret;

A nurse checks on the comfort of her little patient as the small girl lies immobile with a cervical traction brace. The sling is attached to a bar behind the crib's railings. Four-year-old Nancy Mueller, daughter of the Kenneth Muellers, is wearing a brightly colored hospital gown and has her doll and a balloon nearby. Mary Bridge Children's Hospital tried to make hospital stays as comfortable as possible for their small patients. The nurse pictured above is Marjorie Janeck who was the new director of nursing services at Mary Bridge in 1957. She made it a point to pay daily visits to each patient at Mary Bridge. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Orthopedic Association. (TNT 11-1-57, C-2, TNT 5-4-58, A-1)

Nurses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sick children; Cribs (Children's beds); Tacoma Orthopedic Association (Tacoma); Janeck, Marjorie; Mueller, Nancy; Mary Bridge Childrens Hospital (Tacoma);

ca. 1955. Mary Bridge Children's Hospital opened in March of 1955, serving as a general hospital for children ages infancy through 14 years. The hospital was built with the combined funds of the Dr. A.W. Bridge estate, the Tacoma Orthopedic Association and the William R. Rust trust. It was named after Mary Bridge, mother of medical pioneer Dr. Albert W. Bridge and designed by John W. Maloney, Lea, Pearson & Richards, Architects. Mary Bridge began with 40 beds but was designed and built with an eye toward growth, allowing for a 100-bed capacity with three stories. In 1955, only 2 floors were in use with the third enclosed but not finished or furnished until it was needed. The hospital was of modern concrete fireproof construction with three sections of parking, two modern surgeries and a guest room for out of town mothers. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Orthopedic Association. (TNT 1-20-1955, pg. B-3)

Mary Bridge Children's Hospital (Tacoma); Hospitals--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. Typical two bed ward with chenille bedspreads. The beds are separated by a glass partition so that the young patients can see each other. The partition has a curtain that the nurse can draw closed when needed. The wards contained 2 or 4 beds, with the same charge for each. 14 beds were kept available for the indigent, as mandated by the Rust trust. The rooms were painted in soft pastels. Each room had its own tiled toilet room and separate wash stand. A modern night stand stood by each bed. The trays at the foot of the beds can be raised or lowered to hold meals. A guest room was available in the administrative area for out of town mothers of critical patients, who wanted to remain close by. (TNT 3/27/1955, pg. A13- A17)

Mary Bridge Children's Hospital (Tacoma); Hospitals--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Occupational therapy ward at Mary Bridge Childrens' Hospital in August of 1955. A solemn eyed young girl finishes her lunch, or dinner, in her hospital crib with her meal on a bedtray. Tucked in around her are her doll and books and coloring books. Children too ill to leave their beds receive toys, games, coloring books and reading material, brought by volunteers from the Tacoma Orthopedic Association. For the child who must lie flat on his back, Tacoma Public Library furnished a ceiling projector to show cartoons. Once a week, they also sent a librarian to read to the children in their rooms. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Orthopedic Assoc. (TNT 8/14/1955, pg. A-12)

Mary Bridge Children's Hospital (Tacoma); Physical therapy--Tacoma; Sick children; Cribs (Children's beds);

Occupational therapy ward at Mary Bridge Childrens' Hospital. Marilyn Wagner, the Occupational Therapist in white, helps a boy, Jimmie, in a wheelchair hook a potholder. Nine year old Jimmie has broken his leg, but right now he isn't thinking about the cast; he is showing Marilyn Wagner the blue and white potholder that he will take home from the hospital for his mom. There are two kinds of therapy available in the hospital- Functional therapy involves activities that promote healing and Diversional therapy- such as Jimmie's, promotes mental happiness. A painting of native Americans weaving baskets, by Ruth Byers, adorns one wall. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Orthopedic Assoc. (TNT 8/14/1955, pg. A-12)

Mary Bridge Children's Hospital (Tacoma); Physical therapy--Tacoma; Wheelchairs; Wagner, Marilyn;