Brief history of the Richardson Hospital
The Richardson Hospital was founded by William Sutherland Richardson in 1918, after his son Julius was killed in action, along with 11 other soldiers during World War I (WWI). Originally located in the family’s home in Chateauguay, the hospital was known as the Khaki House and served as a convalescence home for soldiers returning from the war.
By 1926, there being no further need for the hospital by WWI soldiers, the mission of the hospital changed to convalescent care of underprivileged children, suffering from poliomyelitis, rheumatic heart disease, tuberculosis and other long-term illnesses. The children were referred from the public wards of Montreal city hospitals. The financial support came from donations and philanthropic activities. Since most of the children came from Montreal it was moved to Montreal to allow parents more frequent visits.
The Notre-Dame-de-Grâce land, on Bessborough Avenue, where the hospital is presently located was purchased in various lots from 1940 until early 1950 by the Board of Directors. The cornerstone of the building was laid in 1951 and the hospital opened its doors on July 19, 1952.
The Richardson Hospital integrated with the CSSS (Centre de santé et de services sociaux) Cavendish, which ultimately joined the Integrated Health and Social Services University Network for West-Central Montreal (CIUSSS West-Central Montreal) in 2015, as part of the Quebec Government’s Law 10.