State Awards Historical Marker

Featured from The Papermaker, the Newsletter of Historic RittenhouseTown
Volume 15, Number 2

There are few historic sites which can say with great pride that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has recognized their significance to both the state and the country with two historical markers. In 1991, Historic RittenhouseTown received its first marker due to the site's overall importance as the nation's first paper mill, industrial community and as the 1732 birthplace of the illustrious David Rittenhouse. Now we jump ahead almost two full centuries to commemorate RittenhouseTown's role inthe history of the early Women's Rights Movement during the early days of the last century.

From 1913-17, Providence General Hospital existed in the building which now servs as Historic RittenhouseTown's Visitor Center, the circa 1720 Abraham Rittenhouse Home. This structure, and several others which no longer exist, served the purpose of a community hospital established by Dr. Mary Davis Ridgway. This fact is remarkable in itself that these 18th Century structures could be adapted to such a purpose, but also consider that this is an era in our country's history when women physicians were rare, and not afforded anywhere near the well-deserved respect they receive today, and also women could not even vote in the United States. In addition, this hospital had a Board of Directors almost entirely comprised of women with Dr. Ridgway serving as its chief administrator.

...In March of this year, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission awarded Historic RittenhouseTown a marker to commemorate Dr. Ridgway and her accomplishments of establishing Providence General Hospital.

The Marker will read:

The Papermaker is the quarterly newsletter of Historic RittenhouseTown and is sent to all members.