FARMINGTON – Franklin Memorial Hospital will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the hospital’s founding from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 27, with special activities and a community open house.

Festivities will include tours of the hospital, live music by Native Oak, horse-drawn wagon rides, activities for children, including a Teddy Bear Clinic and Sponge Bob moonwalk jumper, video previews reflecting on the hospital’s past 75 years, cake and ice cream, door prizes and more.

The original Franklin (County) Memorial Hospital, located on the Fairbanks Road, was opened in 1929. By the mid-60s it became apparent that the facility was no longer adequate and its trustees began making plans for a much-needed expansion.

A newly constructed hospital was completed at the current location in 1975, with major renovations in 1983 adding intensive care and day surgery units. A second major renovation and expansion of the facility was completed last summer.

Children who wish to participate in the Teddy Bear Clinic are asked to bring a teddy bear or favorite doll with them. The “patient” (stuffed animal or doll) will undergo an evaluation by a team of hospital professionals with different stations illustrating different departments of the hospital.

For more information phone the community relations office at 778-2555.

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