RI Hospital celebrates 150 years

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- Rhode Island Hospital kicked off its 150th anniversary with a ceremony Tuesday.

The hospital unveiled a Legacy Timeline at the event, commemorating each decade since 1863.

The timeline will be permanently installed outside of the George Auditorium in the hospital's Meehan Building, and includes historic photos and artifacts. It was created by local artist Thomas Lynch.

"In 1863, our founders set out to create a hospital to meet the growing medical needs of the community," said Lifespan CEO and hospital President Timothy Babineau, M.D. in a statement. "While there were smaller hospitals created to focus on specific illnesses such as smallpox, Rhode Island Hospital was the first in the state to provide general medical and surgical services for a range of illnesses and injury."

The hospital also unveiled a three-dimensional mural that will be installed on the I-95 underpass near the main entrance.

RI Hospital is the state's largest hospital and only Level I trauma center.