History lies within the walls of NUMC - literally
As New Ulm Medical Center celebrates 125 years of health care in New Ulm, it’s interesting to note that history is still with us and in places most may not suspect.
On September 10, 1962, the cornerstone of the new Loretto Hospital was laid and blessed. It was an auspicious occasion to be sure. The ceremony was filled with the importance befitting the $1.5 million structure. Dozens were in attendance to see the cornerstone placed and blessed.
They also saw something else placed that day that most have probably long since forgotten. Inside the cornerstone a copper box was placed with many items of the day.
According to scrapbooks meticulously kept over the years at the hospital, inside the copper box were the following items:
- Love’s Service Diamond Jubilee Commemorative Book (celebrating 75 years of the hospital in 1959)
- A picture of the nuns of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ who were currently stationed at Loretto Hospital
- A current issue of the Catholic Bulletin
- A current issue of the New Ulm Daily Journal
- A program of the day
- A list of those who built the new hospital (architects, contractors, etc.)
- Little Red Cross of St. Camillus de Lellis
- A rosary
- Blessed Mother Statuette
- A green Scapular
- A blest palm
- A blest candle
- Holy water
- Lourdes Water
- Various coins from 1962 and before
As far as anyone knows, that copper box and it’s historical contents are still there today.
