60 Years of Irving Healthcare:

Honoring Our Legacy, Building Our Future

IAM announces its newest exhibit 60 Years of Irving Healthcare: Honoring Our Legacy, Building Our Future, on display from through December 1, 2024. This exhibit tells the story of how the city of Irving transformed from a small farming community into a thriving suburb and the parallel development of its healthcare system, starting with the opening of Irving Community Hospital in 1964.

In the 1950s, Irving was experiencing a period of rapid growth, expanding from a modest population of 2,500 to a bustling city of 50,000 residents. This growth spurred discussions about the need for local healthcare, as residents frequently traveled to Dallas hospitals for medical services. In response, city leaders formed the Irving Hospital Authority in 1959 and began working on plans to establish a community hospital.

A key moment in this journey came in 1961, when a door-to-door fundraising campaign led by the women of the Irving Hospital Auxiliary raised $350,000, which, combined with funds from hospital bonds, brought the community closer to achieving its vision. After years of planning and effort, Irving Community Hospital broke ground in 1962 and opened its doors in November 1964. The facility, initially designed with 100 beds, quickly became a vital part of the community, serving generations of Irving residents.

The exhibit will feature archival photographs, a timeline of important milestones in the hospital's history, and artifacts that highlight the community's grassroots efforts to fund the hospital. Visitors will also have the opportunity to view a TexasFest-themed quilt that honors the presidents of the TexasFest event over the years. Launched in 1980, TexasFest became an essential fundraising event for the hospital, raising over $11 million to support the hospital’s expansion and equipment needs.

Special Highlights Include:

• A display of the groundbreaking ceremony in October 1962, featuring both a mule-drawn plow and a modern-day earthmover, symbolizing Irving’s transformation from a farm town into a modern city.
• Photographs of Ben Carpenter and Carolyn Carpenter Williams, who donated the land for the hospital, at the dedication ceremony in 1964.
• A timeline tracing the hospital’s expansion, name changes, and eventual affiliation with Baylor Scott & White.

The exhibit is free with museum admission and is open to all ages.

On view through December 1, 2024.