Historic Resources

Historic Pine Building

The Hospital’s historic Pine Building has long been acknowledged as one of the finest examples of Colonial and Federal period architecture. Designed by Samuel Rhoads, a member of the first Board of Managers, the Pine Building has been in continuous use since 1755. The building is a three-part structure, completed as funds became available: the East Wing opened in 1755, the West Wing in 1796, and the Center Building in 1804. Today, it houses several medical departments as well as administrative offices and the most significant historic interior spaces including the Great Court, Surgical Amphitheater, and Historic Library.

Landscape

The Pennsylvania Hospital landscape surrounds the historic Pine Building of the Pennsylvania Hospital on all sides, representing a mixture of historic and contemporary landscapes. The landscape elements of this CMP include the South Lawn and associated gardens surrounding the Pine Building and the perimeter trees along Pine, 8th, and 9th streets.

Collections

Archives: The Hospital’s archives include manuscripts and records pertaining to both the Pennsylvania Hospital and the Institute of the Pennsylvania Hospital from its inception to the present. The Archives contain approximately 2,500 linear feet of material.

Fine Art, Furniture, and Objects: The Hospital’s collections also include over 200 pieces of fine art, over 70 pieces of antique furniture, and medical objects. Currently, the total floor area allocated to the Historic Collections (including the Archives) is approximately 5,000 sq. ft.