Providence Flashbacks

Heathfield Villa

Heathfield Villa

Heathfield Villa in the early 1960s.BY VERONICA STIENBURG, ARCHIVIST In the late 1840s the property we know as Heathfield was compiled when three smaller parcels of land, one of them including a villa built in the 1830s, were purchased by Alex Forbes to create a 30...

The Motherhouse and its grounds

The Motherhouse and its grounds

BY VERONICA STIENBURG, ARCHIVIST The Motherhouse and its grounds have changed a lot since 1932, but are still very recognizable! These four photographs show how the landscaping in front of the Motherhouse and the Motherhouse itself have changed over the years.The...

Sisters!

Sisters!

Sr. M. Henry, Sr. M. Juliana, and Sr. Mary Seven Dolors McMahon.BY VERONICA STIENBURG, ARCHIVIST Numerous siblings have entered the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul over the years. Religious life was not the right fit for some of these women, but many...

How the trees have grown!

How the trees have grown!

BY VERONICA STIENBURG, ARCHIVIST The Motherhouse grounds have changed a lot over the years, and yet stayed the same in other ways. These two photographs show how the Motherhouse grounds, from the Main Entrance to Princess Street, have changed over a span of 62 years....

Christmas Crib

Christmas Crib

Joseph Vanderhelm, standing in front of the new Crib in January 1962. Photo courtesy of William Vanderhelm.BY VERONICA STIENBURG, ARCHIVIST Every year at Christmas, we all enjoy the large outdoor Crib that is on display in front of Providence Motherhouse in Kingston....

St. Vincent de Paul Hospital Time Capsules

St. Vincent de Paul Hospital Time Capsules

BY VERONICA STIENBURG, ARCHIVIST St. Vincent de Paul Hospital Brockville was opened in 1887 and five years later, in 1892, the hospital had outgrown its Schofield Hill location and the hospital moved to a former convent at 42 Garden Street. Over time several additions...

Sisters Vote!

Sisters Vote!

Kingston and the Islands riding election debate for 2005 Canadian Federal Election.BY VERONICA STIENBURG, ARCHIVIST In light of the recent federal election, let’s take a look at the Sisters of Providence’s history of voting in federal elections. After obtaining...

Raphael Lake…The Lake That Wasn’t

Raphael Lake…The Lake That Wasn’t

Sister Mary Raphael, ca. 1967-1969BY VERONICA STIENBURG, ARCHIVIST Sister Mary Raphael is noteworthy on several fronts. She was especially well known for her 42 years of service at Providence Hospital in Moose Jaw and was much beloved by the people of Moose Jaw....

Water troubles!

Water troubles!

BY VERONICA STIENBURG, ARCHIVIST Those of us who live in cities, take for granted that our water is provided by the city and not by a private corporation. This was not always the case in Kingston. According to the Kingston Pumphouse Museum website, the Kingston Water...

Providence Hospital School of Nursing, Moose Jaw

Providence Hospital School of Nursing, Moose Jaw

BY VERONICA STIENBURG, ARCHIVIST The School of Nursing at Providence Hospital in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan was founded in 1917 by Sister Mary Raphael McCann. There were 14 students in the first class. Conditions were crowded and instruction was carried on by the doctors...