Florence Nightingale’s customised wheelchair to go on display at hospital
The customised wheelchair used by Florence Nightingale in the years following her return from the Crimean War is to go on public display in the UK for the first time.
It will become a new permanent display at the Florence Nightingale Museum at St Thomas’ Hospital in Westminster Bridge Road, Waterloo.
The early 20th century mahogany and iron chair, with red and tan floral brocade seat cover, will be displayed to coincide with the Military Nursing in Peace and War exhibition.
The new display traces the history and vital life-saving importance of military nursing, from the Crimean War achievements of Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole to today. It will open on June 24.
Acquired by the Museum earlier this year, following a successful fundraising appeal, the wheelchair was used by Florence Nightingale in her Mayfair home, as she fought her own illness while transforming healthcare and inspiring generations of nurses across the world in ways that continue today.
Brenda Griffiths, chairwoman of the board of the Nurses Charitable Trust said: “The past 50 years of Florence Nightingale’s life are often glossed over in favour of her Crimean efforts, but in this period, Ms Nightingale went on to influence the nursing profession as we know it today, despite the challenge of ongoing disability.
“As a result, her wheelchair is a powerful emblem of her strength and physical commitment. She accomplished so much despite her limited mobility.
“It is such a positive message for wheelchair users today.”
The museum acquired Florence Nightingale’s wheelchair from the Alan Mason Chesney Medical Archives, John Hopkins University, USA.
In 1920, Dr Howard Kelly, chairman of gynaecology at Johns Hopkins, bought the wheelchair and presented it to the Johns Hopkins Hospital Training School for Nurses.
Gabrielle Gale, general manager of the Florence Nightingale Museum, said: “The quite remarkable personal recollections which nurses have contributed to our new display truly bring home the extraordinary skill, determination, character and enduring spirit of the people who serve as military nurses.
“We are extremely pleased to be honouring them in a small way here.”
Pictured top: A curator places Florence Nightingale’s wheelchair on display (Picture: Florence Nightingale Museum)
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