Images(5)

Bag, Carrying

Object number2021.86.1

Manufacturer Segessman Leather Products, Inc.

Datec. 1972

OriginChicago, IL

MediumLeather; Metal; Fabric

Credit LineGift of Judith Fesz

DescriptionLeather nurse's medical bag. Rectangular textured black leather bag; black leather is worn in areas revealing brown undersurface. Clamshell lid with leather strap and metal buckle closure on front flap. One rounded leather handle mounted on both the front and back of the bag with rectangular metal rings. Proper right side has leather window for labelling bag. Interior compartment has two leather flap covers that close with two metal snaps. Interior compartment has one large pocket along front wall with four small semicircular compartments along exterior of back wall of pocket. Interior compartment has small sleeve compartment on proper right wall at center and also seven semicircular compartments along the back wall.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 7.25 x 11.75 x 9.875 in. (18.4 x 29.8 x 25.1 cm)
MarksUnderside has impressed text at center "TOP GRAIN COWHIDE / SEGESSMAN LEATHER PRODUCTS, INC. / CHICAGO".
Historical NotesThis nurse's bag belonged to the donor Juditz Fesz. Fesz received it when she started working for the Visiting Nurses Association in 1972. Each bag contained forceps, tweezers, apron, dressings, syringes, needles, and scale. 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.

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

Related institution Public Health Nursing Association of Pittsburgh (1919 - 1949)

Previous owner Judith Fesz

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