Florence Nightingale Memorial
San Francisco, San Francisco, California
Marker Inscription
In memory of Florence Nightingale, “The Founder of Professional Nursing”. Designed and created by the late David Edstrom. Dedicated National Hospital Day, May 12, 1939. Golden Gate International Exposition under the auspices of Northern California Federal Artist Project, Works Progress Administration. City and County of San Francisco. Association of Western Hospitals, Association of California Hospitals, Western Conference, Catholic Hospital Association, California State Nurses Association.
The Story
Unveiled at San Francisco's 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition, this memorial honors Florence Nightingale, celebrated as the founder of professional nursing. Sculpted by David Edstrom and produced through the Works Progress Administration's Federal Art Project, it was dedicated on National Hospital Day by a coalition of California nursing and hospital associations. The piece unites two American stories: the New Deal's public art and the rise of nursing as a respected profession.
Why it matters
It honors the woman who transformed nursing into a skilled profession while showcasing the WPA's era of publicly funded art celebrating civic ideals.
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Related people
- · Florence Nightingale
- · David Edstrom
Related events
- · Golden Gate International Exposition, 1939
Themes & tags
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