Wilberforce Red Cross Outpost
The Wilberforce Red Cross Outpost, located in the village of Wilberforce, Ontario is the location of the first Red Cross health post in Ontario. It was designated as a national historic site of Canada in 2003.
History
Prior to World War I, the Canadian Red Cross Society's work was undertaken only overseas. Around 1919, the organisation consciously changed its strategic direction to focus more on the health of Canadians.Wilberforce Red Cross Outpost was constructed from 1914 to 1916, initially as a private residence. In 1922, due to their limited funding, the Canadian Red Cross rented the building. From then until 1957, it was used by the Red Cross as a nursing station, a health centre, an emergency hospital, and a residence for the nurse employed on site. Nurses would be on call 24 hour per day, seven days per week. Due to a lack of training combined with unmet needs, nurses would often operate beyond their scope of practise, in areas such as obstetrics and public health programs. From 1957 to 1963 the health post provided some medical services. Nurses included Gertrude LeRoy Miller, Anne Casey, and Margaret MacLachlan.
After refurbishment led by local historian Hilda Clark, the Canadian Minister of Heritage Sheila Copps designated the site as a national historic site of Canada in 2003. A plaque was unveiled in 2006.