Original Mattey Hersee Hospital
This house is built on the original site of Matty Hersee Hospital, the city’s first charity hospital. The hospital was named for Mrs. Matty Hersee Wright, who was the main person responsible for raising the funds to build the hospital. She organized a group of women who met weekly and worked to raise money, through bazaars, the local newspaper, teas, and contributing themselves. The land for the hospital was donated by Mrs. Ella Ragsdale Coffee, and in 1903 a frame for the building was finally built. The women continued to support the overcrowded hospital throughout the years. Eventually the State took over the ownership and maintenance of the hospital, and in 1923, the hospital moved to a new location.
