Naval Hospital Philadelphia, Convalescent Ward, South side of Jackman Road, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA

Significance: Building 54 is one among a connected complex of 12 Convalescent Ward buildings (47-58) that were constructed in 1945 to house convalescent wards and specialized therapeutic facilities for injured service personnel. Buildings 51-58 were extant was of September 1999; Building 47-50 were demolished during the 1970s. Three of the 12 building, 51,52, and 56, were designed and built specifically for the rehabilitation of wounded and maimed sailors and Marines. These three buildings served Occupational Therapy, Acoustic Clinic, and Rehabilitation of the Blind functions, respectively, although in outer form they are similar to the other nine building that originally composed the Convalescent Wards complex. Naval Hospital Philadelphia was a principal center for the treatment of blind and hearing-impaired Navy and Marine Corps veterans and for the rehabilitation of those who had undergone amputation.
Survey number: HABS PA-6206-F
Building/structure dates: 1945 Initial Construction