Emily P. Bissell Hospital

Description

The first building for the care of tuberculosis, with a capacity of eight beds, was built in the Timiken Woods near Brandywine Creek. Miss Emily P. Bissell conceived the idea of selling Christmas Seals to raise funds to maintain the first tuberculosis hospital; thus, the beginning of Christmas Seals in America. The State Legislature and the Delaware Ant-Tuberculosis Society each appropriated $10,000 for the purchase of the property known as "Hope Farm." On this site the present Emily P. Bissell Hospital stands. In 1921 "Hope Farm" was changed to "Brandywine Sanatorium" and in 1955 became Emily P. Bissell Sanatorium. The 119th General Assembly changed the name to Emily P. Bissell Hospital in 1957, and expanded its use to include allied pulmonary diseases. Today Emily Bissell is a long term care facility licensed as a nursing home providing care at the skilled and intermediate levels to those admitted.