FARMINGTON – Patients, visitors and staff entering Franklin Memorial Hospital have been greeted by a historical display, “A Legacy of Caring,” in the front lobby for more than 10 years. The collection of medical equipment, pictures, books and other artifacts presents a picture of the evolution of health care in the area.

“The exhibit was set up during renovations to the Emergency Department and lobby in 1995,” said Emily Scribner, medical librarian. “But since then, only a few items have been added or moved.”

To expand the collection, Scribner is creating an archive of artifacts, photographs and other documents in the medical library to provide a record of the development of the hospital and health network, plus other materials that relate to health care in the area.

Working beside Scribner on the project is volunteer Aimee St. Amand, a senior at the University of Maine at Farmington. During this semester, St. Amand has implemented a system to inventory materials collected, entering them in a database and filing them for safe preservation.

“With an improved system now in place for handling historical materials, we welcome contributions from the community of items that would benefit the hospital’s archival collection, as well as the Legacy of Caring’ historical display,” said Scribner.

For more information or to make a donation, contact Scribner at 779-2554.

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