Hertford County Hospital (Main Front Block)

HERTFORD

TL3112NE NORTH ROAD 817-1/8/134 (South side) 12/04/73 Hertford County Hospital (main front block)

II

Hospital, built as General Infirmary. 1832-3, much altered and extended late C19 and C20. Designed by Thomas Smith, architect. Stuccoed brick, and yellow stock brick, laid to Flemish bond to flanks. Welsh slated hipped roof. EXTERIOR: 3 storeys and attic. 5-bay front elevation, with slightly later single bay wings set back to left and right. Central 3 bays break slightly forward with tetrastyle Tuscan Doric pseudo-portico to upper 2 storeys, and plat band at first-floor level across full width of facade. First floor has recessed 12-pane sash windows, second floor squat 6-pane sashes, the 2 to right of pediment now enlarged. 3 light box dormer to left of central pediment. Ground floor has recessed 12-pane sashes, some now altered, and central doorway with half-glazed door beneath fanlight with bolection moulded architrave surround. Fascia and entablature, the former reflected in a deep projecting band across the original 5 bay facade. Pediment with sculpted tympanum symbolising medicine, centrally set on raised band at base of pediment, with moulded console supports, is inscribed 'stone placed by Bishop of Lincoln 17 July 1832.' INTERIOR: not inspected. HISTORICAL NOTE: the hospital had its origins in the efforts of Rev Thomas Lloyd and Henry Cowper of Tewin Water to provide medical services for the poor. In 1822 the General Dispensary was opened in Hertford Castle by permission of the Marquess of Salisbury; a decade later the General Infirmary was built. Thomas Smith (1798-1875), the architect lived nearby at No.2 North Road (qv) which he built for himself in 1827-28. The hospital opened on 4 July 1833, but financial difficulties restricted its patient intake a year later until eased by donations from Henry Cowper who also endowed the post of Chaplain, and subsequently invested a sum to pay the salary of the resident Medical Secretary, George Towers MD. The name changed to Hertford County Hospital in 1908, and a new wing was built followed by substantial reconstruction in 1916, and a further wing, whose foundation stone was laid by Edward Prince of Wales in 1922, and further additions in 1932, progressively covering the original spacious landscaped gardens. The National Health Service took over the hospital in

1947. (Turnor L: History of Hertford: Hertford: 1830-: 308-12; The Buildings of England: Pevsner N: Hertfordshire: Harmondsworth: 1977-: 189; Green L: Hertford's Past in pictures: Ware: 1993-: 45; Felstead A: Directory of British Architects 1834-1900: London: 1993-; Heath C: Hertford County Hospital - 150th Anniversary: Hertford: 1983-; Hertford County Museum: Hertford County Hospital, About Hertford: Hertford; Colvin H: A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840: London: 1978-).

Listing NGR: TL3187912628