Former Newport News hospital, house added to landmarks list

Posted to: Newport News News

The Associated Press
© June 25, 2009

NEWPORT NEWS

Two historic buildings in Newport News have been added to the Virginia Landmarks Register.

The former Whittaker Memorial Hospital and the Simon Reid Curtis House will now be nominated for the National Register of Historic Places.

Founded in 1908 at a rented house, Whittaker Memorial served black residents who previously could only receive medical care at a clinic at the city jail. According to the application, the hospital building was designed and built by black physicians and architects in 1943. It closed in 1985.

Curtis was Warwick County's treasurer for 45 years. He died in 1949.

His residence was built around 1897 and housed a dry goods store, post office, boarding house and tax assessor's office.

ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its Web sites. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment.