Swimming Point in Portsmouth, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Portsmouth Naval Hospital
The U.S. Navys First Hospital
Fort Nelson Park
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 30, 2015
1. Portsmouth Naval Hospital Marker
Inscription.
Portsmouth Naval Hospital. The U.S. Navys First Hospital. In 1826, Philadelphia architect John Haviland submitted construction plans for this hospital. This building, which houses offices is now known as Building 1, was made of granite and freestone. Its style is classical Greek Revival architecture, which was popular for public buildings at that time. Construction began on April 2, 1827. Workers removed more than 500,000 bricks from old Fort Nelson and re-used them in the foundation and inner walls. In July 1830, Surgeon Thomas Williamson, who was stationed at the shipyard, was ordered to make the hospital ready to receive patients. Dr. Williamson became Medical Director of the nations first naval hospital. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 1826, Philadelphia architect John Haviland submitted construction plans for this hospital. This building, which houses offices is now known as Building 1, was made of granite and freestone. Its style is classical Greek Revival architecture, which was popular for public buildings at that time. Construction began on April 2, 1827. Workers removed more than 500,000 bricks from old Fort Nelson and re-used them in the foundation and inner walls. In July 1830, Surgeon Thomas Williamson, who was stationed at the shipyard, was ordered to make the hospital ready to receive patients. Dr. Williamson became Medical Director of the nations first naval hospital. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Location. 36° 50.483′ N, 76° 18.299′ W. Marker is in Portsmouth, Virginia. It is in Swimming Point. It can be reached from the intersection of Effingham Street and Crawford Parkway, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Portsmouth VA 23704, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads, specifically in Coastal Virginia, and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Tidewater. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 570 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on June 1, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
