"History of the Waltham Hospital," by Jean Gogolin

This collection includes some personal papers of Dr. Douglas Butman and his wife Ruth Butman. The Butmans lived at 332 Bacon Street for over 60 years, across the street from famous Waltham doctor Alfred Worcester. The materials housed in this collection relate to the professional, educational, and religious aspects of the Butmans' lives. There is very little about the Butmans' personal lives.

Professional materials include information about doctors Alfred Worcester and Dwight O’Hara. Important among these materials are the story of the Waltham Training School for Nurses, which was started by Dr. Worcester in 1885. Dr. O’Hara believed this school to be the source for the development of Waltham Hospital. Also interesting here are materials related to the Waltham Baby Hospital, including Finance Committee reports, annual reports, copies of incorporation certificates, and the report of the first meeting at the hospital.

Waltham High School yearbooks, North Jr. High School yearbooks, and photos of the Waltham High School Class of 1932 were educational materials kept by WHS graduate Ruth Butman. No information more personal than this can be found except in a letter to Dr. Butman from the niece of patient, Ada Hardy. (This letter is housed in the Hardy family folder and was found between the pages of a book.) Limited information about the Dickson family, who seemed to be friends with the Butmans, can be found in this collection, as well.

Finally, included here is information about the First Parish Church of Waltham, which the Butmans attended. Histories and a list of silver owned by the Church and pamphlets produced by the Church are also here.