Booth Maternity Center
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
Established in 1971, Booth revolutionized women's health care by offering expectant mothers natural, family-centered childbirth options. It became a national model for its midwife training and for its promotion of midwife/doctor collaboration to improve care. The hospital pioneered the nationwide practice of permitting family members to support women during labor and delivery and advocated birth center accreditation. It closed in 1989.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
Opened in Philadelphia in 1971, the Booth Maternity Center reimagined how American women gave birth, offering natural, family-centered childbirth at a time when hospital delivery was usually clinical and impersonal. It became a national model for training midwives and for pairing them with physicians, and it helped pioneer the now-common practice of letting family members support a woman through labor and delivery. Booth also pushed for the accreditation of birth centers before closing in 1989.
Why it matters
It helped launch the modern movement for family-centered childbirth and midwifery that reshaped maternity care across the country.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- African American Museum in Philadelphia5.7 mi away · 701 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- National Constitution Center5.8 mi away · 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Bridgette Mayer5.8 mi away · 709 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Independence Visitor Center5.9 mi away · 599 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Liberty Bell Center5.9 mi away · 526 Market Street, Philadelphia
- Congress Hall5.9 mi away · Philadelphia, PA
Attractions
- American Bandstand2.9 mi away
- Discovery Center at East Park Reservoir3.0 mi away
- Pennsylvania Railroad, Connecting Railway Bridge3.0 mi away
- Philadelphia Zoo3.1 mi away
- Rocky Steps4.0 mi away
- The Universal Sphere4.8 mi away
Food & drink
- Burger King5.7 mi away
- Philly Pretzel Factory5.7 mi away
- Munchie’s Cafe5.8 mi away · 728 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- El Azteca5.8 mi away
- Dunkin'5.8 mi away · 634 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Park’s Salad Bar5.8 mi away
Places to stay
- Days Inn Philadelphia Convention Center - Philadelphia5.2 mi away · 1227 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Residence Inn Philadelphia Center City5.3 mi away · 1 East Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA
- The Notary Hotel5.3 mi away · 21 North Juniper Street, Philadelphia
- Four Points by Sheraton Philadelphia City Center5.3 mi away · 1201 Race Street, Philadelphia
- Cambria Hotel Philadelphia Downtown - Center City5.3 mi away · 219 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Home2 Suites by Hilton Philadelphia - Convention Center, PA5.3 mi away · 1200 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
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Themes & tags
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