Hospital celebrates anniversary

St. Elizabeths Hospital will celebrate its 150th anniversary next weekend with a program called Living History of Civil War Medicine.

"St. Elizabeths has served the District continuously for 150 years. We're proud of our legacy, and this celebration will provide live demonstrations of the hospital's significant contributions during the Civil War era," said Martha B. Knisley, director of the District's Department of Mental Health.

The opening ceremony will be at 10:30 a.m. June 11. At noon, Eric T. Dean, author of "Shook Over Hell: Post-Traumatic Stress, Vietnam, and the Civil War," will give the keynote address.

At 3 p.m., the Signal Corps Association Re-enactor Division will give a signaling demonstration, followed at 4 p.m. by a concert by the Federal City Brass Band.

The events June 12 start at 10 a.m. with a Civil War-era church service, followed by black spirituals sung by internationally known baritone Daniel Comegys.

At noon, a memorial service will be held at the St. Elizabeths Hospital Civil War Cemetery. The Signal Corps Association Re-enactor Division will present a signaling demonstration at 3 p.m.

The historic 54th Massachusetts Infantry, the African American Civil War Museum and the Smithsonian Anacostia Museum will exhibit both days, as will National Park Service historic units, societies and medical groups.

Re-enactors at the field hospital will perform throughout the celebration, demonstrating medical, dental and surgical techniques in use during the period.

St. Elizabeths Hospital is at 2700 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE. The Congress Heights Metro station, on the Green Line, is within walking distance of the hospital. Pedestrians can enter the campus at Gate 5 on Alabama Avenue. Limited free parking also is available.

Program sponsors include H. Fraser Clayton, the National Park Service, the D.C. Preservation League, and the Medical and Professional Society of St. Elizabeths Hospital.

For more information: 202/562-4000 (starting Monday) or www.seh150.org.