History of Heywood Hospital Told Through Photographs

March 13, 2012 - PRLog -- The newest addition to Arcadia Publishing’s popular Images of America series is Heywood Hospital from local authors Gayle Kadlik and James A. Faust, MD. The book boasts more than 200 vintage images and memories of days gone by.

Heywood Hospital, an independent, 153-bed, nonprofit community hospital located in north central Massachusetts, has served the residents of the Greater Gardner area for more than 100 years. A gift to the community, its birth in 1907 was thanks to the vision and generosity of the prominent Heywood family.

Henry Heywood had wished that workers at his world-renowned furniture manufacturing company would have medical treatment available to them locally. Upon his death, his wife and daughter provided the funds needed for the land and hospital building, as well as an endowment for its operation. Situated upon a hill overlooking Crystal Lake to the west and the Heywood family farm to the north and east, the Henry Heywood Memorial Hospital was established.

A visual history reflecting the deep connection between a community hospital and its residents, Heywood Hospital celebrates the hospital as a benefactor and major employer firmly entrenched in a highly supportive community. The authors hope the book will “bring back nostalgic memories and provide enjoyment to the thousands of people who have been members of the ‘Heywood family’ in so many different ways over the years.”

Highlights of Heywood Hospital:
•   And 1889 sketch by 11 year old Walter Harrison Cady, illustrator of Thornton Burgess's children stories, believed to be published for first time.
•   Red Sox Booster's Day in 1946 when 2,000 citizens of Gardner swarmed Fenway Park bearing gifts from the Chair City for Ted Williams and the team.
•   Heywood Hospital nationally recognized for the development of a disaster drill film in 1957.

Gayle Kadlik coordinates library services and the continuing medical education for physicians at Heywood Hospital. James A. Faust, MD, now retired, was a family physician at Heywood Hospital for 40 years. Both authors have previously published works and presented topics related to Heywood Hospital and consumer health information to the community.

Available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at www.arcadiapublishing.com or
(888)-313-2665.  

Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States.  Our mission is to make history accessible and meaningful through the publication of books on the heritage of America’s people and places.  Have we done a book on your town?  Visit www.arcadiapublishing.com.

# # #

With more than 7,500 local history titles published to date, Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States. Widely recognized sepia books feature hundreds of vintage historical images.