For the past decade on Nantucket, a few more than 100 babies have been born at Nantucket Cottage Hospital (NCH) each year. In 2006, the total was 119; last year, the total was 125. Names and birthdates of many of these babies, as well as those born earlier at NCH, have been part of the Wall of Natives, a brick wall installed across the hall from the nursery in the NCH building that is about to be demolished.
Parents of babies born in Nantucket Cottage Hospital who participated in this popular fundraiser introduced in 1999 were very pleased to hear that staff at NCH — Facilities Staff Member Doug Asplint, in particular — took the time to carefully remove the bricks from the Wall of Natives that is about to be torn down. The majority are undamaged.
Anyone who’d like to pick up their brick is invited to come to the NCH Founder’s Building at 10 Vesper Lane between 9 am and 4 pm on March 20, 21, or 22, or on March 24 from 12:30 to 3:30 pm, during this week’s Be Well Kids Health Fair.
All Nantucket Natives who had a brick in the old hospital building will be acknowledged on a new Wall of Natives in the new building. Tiles that look a little like scrimshaw will be used instead of engraved bricks. Anyone born at NCH who didn’t have a brick can get their name on the new wall by purchasing a tile at the Nantucket Cottage Hospital website.