RUMFORD — Rumford Hospital dedicated its new “Hallway of Honor” on May 14 during National Hospital Week.

The goal of the project was to re-engage the current community with those that helped to build and expand the hospital over the past decades, since its founding in 1924, through their significant charitable financial support.

More than 30 members of family names that appear on the bronze plaques were in attendance. Rumford Hospital President David Frum served as host for the program.

Barbara Belanger, Development Committee chairwoman, provided the audience highlights of the six-month installation project. In addition to audience members who were invited to the podium to give personal testimonies, the Rev. Jay Turner, director of pastoral care at CMMC, provided a dedicatory prayer.

Special guests included Chiara Ferrante, Sen. Susan Collins representative, who brought greetings and congratulations to the hospital. In addition, Andrea McQuaid, district representative for Congressman Mike Michaud, read a letter of congratulations. McQuaid also played a video greeting from Congressman Michaud and letters of congratulations were also read from Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and Gov. Paul Lepage.

John Bradford of Yarmouth, a second cousin of Harold Taylor Bradford, the first son of Maine killed in World War I, was also in attendance.

There is a plaque installed on the new wall in recognition of Corporal Andrews ultimate sacrifice in 1917. Andrews, a Portland resident and Hebron Academy graduate, was killed while serving as an engineer near Cambrai, France. He was buried with great honor at Evergreen Cemetery in Portland in 1921. A larger plaque recognizing him is also installed in the Hall of Flags at the Maine State House. H.T. Andrews Square and Andrews American Legion Post, both in Portland, were named in his honor.

The project was spearheaded by Pamela Smith, director of development at Rumford Hospital, and Belanger, who discovered the trove of bronze plaques stored in the basement. There are more than 100 bronze plaques now installed on the hallway site, which is off the main lobby, heading toward the IP unit. They date back at least to the 1950s, some older.