Our History
Since its inception in 1907, Huggins Hospital has led the way in community health by growing, moving and evolving in response to changing times and the needs of the community. The need for a hospital was determined by Dr. Fred E. Clow and Dr. Curtis B. Cotton. They enlisted the aid of other prominent citizens of the community, including James Martin & Mary Martin (née Huggins), and a corporation was formed in 1907 in order to build a community hospital. Original incorporators were Blake Folsom, James H. Martin, Stephen W. Clow, Sewall W. Abbott, Wilbra H. Swett, Dr. Fred C. Tobey, Edwin F. Chamberlain, Parry T. Hersey, and Dr. Nathaniel H. Scott. The Newell Jerome house and eleven acres of land near the present site of Kingswood Regional High School was purchased, remodeled as a hospital and dedicated on December 31, 1907. The hospital had a capacity of 12 beds.
In 1920, the need to expand became apparent. Our current site was a gift from George A. & Emma Carpenter to the Board of Trustees. In 1923, the Martin Family made a challenge gift of $25,000 to build a new hospital. Over $35,000 was raised and, when combined with the $25,000 gift, provided the funding for a new hospital. The new 24-bed hospital was dedicated on November 11, 1924. The name Huggins Hospital was chosen as a memorial to John Huggins, a Wolfeboro resident and brother of benefactor Mary Martin (née Huggins). In 1935, the hospital won the approval of the American College of Surgeons, the hallmark for quality in voluntary hospitals.
During World War II, it became evident that additional beds and improved facilities were needed. Through a fundraising campaign and the aid of a federal grant, approximately $750,000 was raised to build a three-story addition, providing 56 beds for patients and a new operating suite, which opened in 1950. Continuing in its efforts to provide modern medical facilities, the hospital constructed an X-ray and clinic wing which opened in June of 1958. In 1961, a new boiler plant was added and during the winter of 1969, an extension to the boiler plant was completed.
In 1966, a long-range planning committee was appointed and after more than a year of work, the committee determined that it was necessary to modernize and expand Huggins Hospital. A major project was undertaken to build the Sinclair Patient Care Center. This single-story building provided three wings for 82 beds, a new kitchen and dining facilities. The building was dedicated July 15, 1972, as a memorial to Jennie Sinclair, a life-long Wolfeboro resident who contributed her time, energy and financial support to Huggins Hospital to ensure that the hospital would continue to offer the best medical facilities to the community.
While the completion of the 1972 project satisfied the need for inpatient bed space, the planning committee was aware that in not too many years, improved and expanded facilities for outpatients and emergency patients would be required. An updated, comprehensive long-range plan was developed and presented to the hospital Board of Trustees in 1975. At that time, it was agreed to proceed with the construction of an additional 23,000 square feet of floor space in four building additions to the Sinclair Patient Care Center. The major thrust of the construction was to provide improved and expanded emergency services, X-ray services, and operating and recovery areas. Construction began on July 13, 1978 and was completed in the spring of 1980, with the dedication of the buildings taking place on June 17, 1980. At that time, the emergency services center was named after Edward H. C. Bartsch, a former trustee of Huggins Hospital.
In 1991, the Medical Arts Center was completed to accommodate many of our provider offices, our Cardiac Rehabilitation Program and a conference room.
In the early 2000s, the Trustees began seeing needs for updated facilities. The current facility was experiencing fatigue with millions of dollars being spent to make repairs and address plant safety requirements. Advances in care were having a much larger focus on outpatient care, keeping patients in their homes rather than as an inpatient, and technology advances in medical imaging, diagnostic tests and surgical techniques were transforming the provisions of care.
On April 19, 2007, the State of New Hampshire approved the Hospital’s Certificate of Need (CON) application for a new two story, 101,000 square foot, $55 million facility.
On July 8, 2008, Huggins Hospital broke ground for the new hospital. The construction of a new hospital for Wolfeboro and the surrounding towns was a significant step forward in meeting the rapidly changing healthcare needs of our community. As we have from our beginning, Huggins Hospital’s goal continues to be to ensure that our current and future patients, their families and medical staff have access to the quality healthcare services they need.
On May 22, 2010, the new Huggins Hospital opened its doors for a community tour. The next day, May 23rd, the patients were moved from the old hospital to the new and the hospital was officially open. The new hospital has updated, state-of-the-art technology combined with a calming, healing atmosphere of warm colors, lots of natural light and comfortable seating areas.
Just like our founders, Huggins Hospital is committed to providing the best health care possible to all who come to us.