IMAGE COURTESY OF DAYTON VAMC
VA HOSPITAL EVOLUTION
Building From Our Past: The Evolution of VA Hospitals PHOTO BY JAMES STEAKLEY/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
The architecture, look, and footprint of Veterans’ hospitals have changed significantly since the first hospitals opened after the Civil War. By Katie Delacenserie, VHA Historian
Today’s VA Medical Centers and the wide range of services they provide for Veterans are ingrained into the fabric of modern American society and culture. The architecture, look, and footprint of Veterans’ hospitals have changed significantly since the first hospitals opened after the Civil War and are still evolving to meet the latest in medical innovation and contemporary research needs.
Top: A contemporary illustration of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Dayton, Ohio. The First Generation hospitals comprised multiple buildings. Above: The National Soldiers Home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was built in 1867-68. It was one of 25 buildings
FIRST GENERATION
First Generation hospitals were constructed by the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers for the care of Union
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Veterans Health Administration 75
comprising the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, Northwestern Branch, and survives today.
