Images(5)

Cap, Nurse's

Object number2022.14.4

Manufacturer Dármigene

Date1972-1999

OriginNY

MediumFabric; Metal; Plastic(?) or Enamel(?)

Credit LineGift of Judith Fesz

DescriptionNavy blue nurse's cap, size Medium. Teardrop-shaped crown. Body of cap has rounded front and pointed back. Proper left side has oval organizational pin with white background with blue text at center; metal clutch back fastener on back. Proper left side to the rear of the pin has white fabric stripe that is safety-pinned to the cap. DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 2.875 x 5 x 9.5 in. (7.3 x 12.7 x 24.1 cm)
InscriptionsPin on proper left side of cap has blue text at center "VNA".

Inside cap brim on proper right side is white fabric maker label with handwritten blue text below maker name "Och".
MarksInside cap brim on proper right side is white fabric maker label with embroidered blue text "ORIGINAL / Dármigene / NEW YORK".
Historical NotesCap used by Judith Fesz when she worked for the Visiting Nurses Association of Allegheny County. The Visiting Nurses Association of Allegheny County started in 1919 as the Public Health Nursing Association of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1948, they incorporated as the Visiting Nurses Association of Allegheny County. The organization is a descendent of the Fruit and Flower Mission, but the organization split from Fruit and Flower and that organization continued its work of visiting the sick and elderly. They were one of only a few home care agencies when they started out. They started hospice serves in 1970 and a stroke group, and they were the first to do home chemo in the 1980s. When Judith Fesz started in 1972, you had to have a bachelor’s degree but they loosened this rule during her time with the organization and when she left in 1999, they had around 700 employees. The organization closed in 2000 because of Medicare financial issues.

Previous owner Judith Fesz

Related institution Visiting Nurses Association of Allegheny County (1949 - 2000)

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