Porter Medical Center
History
A Storied History
Porter Medical Center was founded in 1925 and has been providing high-quality health care to our local community ever since. A brief history of how we got to where we are today:
Early Beginnings (1914 - 1929)
- 1914: William Henry Porter donates $50,000 to Middlebury College to build a facility that will serve as both community hospital and Middlebury College infirmary.
- 1925: Delayed by World War I, Porter Hospital opens its doors on the site of old Porter farm, with two operating rooms, fitted to Porter’s specifications, “with the best modern equipment.”
- 1926: Addison County Hospital Association assumes management of the hospital from Middlebury College.
- 1929: Nursing dormitory opens in 1929 through a generous gift from Porter’s wife, Esther, in memory of her husband. This building now serves as the administrative office for the hospital.
Introduction of Helen Porter Nursing Facility (1970 - 1992)
- 1970: Helen Porter nursing facility opens, named in memory of William Henry Porter and Hester Jackson’s daughter Helen Porter.
- 1992: Helen Porter moves to current location, which now includes a skilled nursing facility, memory care and post-acute rehabilitation.
