Charity Hospital (1939)

Charity, originally uploaded by M Styborski.

The institution known as Charity Hospital (founded 1736) is almost as old as the city itself (established 1718).

The sixth Charity Hospital building was constructed in 1939 at 1532 Tulane by the Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works, later known as the Public Works Administration. Architects Weiss, Dreyfous and Seiferth designed the 20-story building, the tallest hospital in New Orleans. It is adorned with bas reliefs by sculptor Enrique Alferez.

Charity has been closed since flooding after Hurricane Katrina. In 2008 the National Trust for Historic Preservation listed Charity Hospital among its list of America's 11 Most Endangered Places. The future of this historic building and the 275 year old institution remains uncertain.

[F. Stock; photo: M. Styborski]