This vintage lithographic postcard features the Brooklyn Home For Blind, Crippled And Defective Children, located in Port Jefferson, Long Island, New York. Although by today’s standards, the name of the hospital is politically incorrect, the institution did important therapeutic work. The hospital is known today as St. Charles Hospital. Here is some history. In 1907, a group of 27 homeless children with disabilities went by train from Brooklyn, New York, to Port Jefferson. They entered into the care of four French Sisters from the Order of the Daughters of Wisdom. That same year, the Brooklyn Home for handicapped children was established. Its mission was to provide support, care, education, and medical and surgical treatment of blind and handicapped children. By 1910, a building was constructed to house 250 children. The facility was dedicated to and named as St. Charles Hospital. The hospital became regionally renowned for its great success in helping disabled children. Breakthroughs in treating polio attracted national media attention. In 1915, the hospital once again expanded and in 1921 the hospital acquired ten adjoining acres. Expansion has continued over time. Today the hospital is a full service, general hospital and regional rehabilitation center. This unused postcard was published by L. H. V. Reynolds & Company (New York). SOLD
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 