Henry Ford School of Nursing and Hygiene
In 1925, the Henry Ford School of Nursing and Hygiene enrolled its first class of 93 student nurses. Henry Ford’s wife, Mrs. Clara Ford, took a personal interest in development of the school and design of the residence. She worked closely with architect Albert Kahn on the design of the Clara Ford Nurses’ Home and the Education Building. The Nurses’ Home provided over 300 private bedrooms with an attached bathroom, sitting rooms for gatherings, and elegant furnishings throughout. A brochure from 1924 announcing the school describes the Home in greater detail:
The Clara Ford Nurses’ Home has been particularly designed to give students the advantages of home life….The Home is so constructed that each floor is provided with sufficient separation from large groups. Each floor contains three sections. Each section has an elevator, a porch, common sitting room, sewing room, and a kitchenette. With this arrangement the traditional dormitory corridor is removed.
The first floor contains an artistically designed lounge, a typical home library, eight parlors for visitors, music room, information desk and switchboard, dressing rooms for visitors, and a tea room.
The Education Building housed classrooms, demonstration rooms, laboratories, two squash courts, a swimming pool, and a walnut paneled gymnasium/auditorium for special events. The Ford Family was often in attendance at School of Nursing events, including the early graduation ceremonies that took place in the auditorium.
Pictured: (Clockwise from top) School of Nursing students checking their mail, c.1950; School of Nursing brochure from 1963-64; Water ballet team, 1961. From the Conrad R. Lam Collection, Henry Ford Health System.
Pictured: (From top) Vintage postcard of the Clara Ford Nurses' Home at Henry Ford Hospital, c.1930; Composite from the first graduating class of the School of Nursing and Hygiene, Class of 1927. From the Conrad R. Lam Collection, Henry Ford Health System.
Women came from all over the United States and Canada to attend the prestigious 28-month, tuition-free program. The school’s early curriculum included rotations in medicine, hygiene and sanitation, chemistry, and dietetics; along with physical education classes and cultural activities like theater and glee club. Early on, most of the instructors for the school were doctors on the hospital staff including Physician-in-Chief, Dr. Frank Sladen.
Mrs. Clara Ford felt that the school should have a luxurious environment and offer cultural activities in theater, modern dance, and music. In addition to the regulation starched white uniforms and spotless shoes, the students were expected to abide by the no-smoking rule or face administrative consequences. The hospital grounds became the students’ home for three years and many felt comfortable to express their individuality. Elegant teas with the Ford Family were a highlight, Jesse Bonstelle assisted theatrical classes, and Mrs. Lovett instructed the women in ballroom dancing. Physical fitness was also important and students were engaged in archery classes, basketball, and water ballet.
The school atmosphere changed in the 1970s as many students were commuting to campus, often with jobs and family obligations. The curriculum was changed to a two-year program and affiliations were established with area universities.
After 71 years of service, the Henry Ford School of Nursing graduated its last class in 1996.