“At first, the parlor was used as the operating room where surgeries were performed under chandelier lights”
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Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital – 1970
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Update in Progress May 2025
Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital provided a full range of medical services for Hartland and the surrounding area for several decades from 1932 until it closed in 1970, but its story begins well over a century before its doors first opened as a public community hospital.
In 1802, two year old James Moor arrived with his parents William & Sally Moor who settled on what became Commercial Street in Hartland. Following his parents departure to Corinna soon after 1820, James remained in Hartland and began an important role in the early years of development of Hartland’s town affairs and its industry.
James married Dorcas Wiggin in 1821 and they built a modest home atop the highest hill on Main Street where they began their family of 10 eventual children. By 1825, James had built the Upper Dam on the Sebasticook River near Mill Street and opened a sawmill on the site. He was later joined in business by 2 of his surviving sons Amasa J. Moor & James W. Moor.
James Moor Residence on Main Street – 1860
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In 1847, James built a new, larger house on the same location with assistance from his sons and continued his business affairs with the sawmills.
Former James Moor Residence on Main Street – 1910
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Following James’ death on December 2, 1873, his daughter Elmeda Moor and her husband Nathan M. Webb took over the family home. James’ wife Dorcas lived with them until her death in 1892 at 93 years old. Nathan Webb, known by family and friends as The Major, is a son of John Chandler Webb & Clarissa Nay and served as a Constable in Hartland where he married Elmeda in 1861.
Former James Moor Residence (left) on Main Street
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Nathan Webb & Elmeda (Moor) had 3 surviving daughters all born in Hartland; Eva in 1862, Cora in 1869 & Nina Webb in 1874.
Webb Family Portrait
(L-R) Front Row: Elmeda (Moor) & Nathan Webb | Back Row: Nina, Cora & Eva Webb
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Eva M. Webb, the oldest daughter, married Andrew Scott of St. Albans in 1879. Andrew was born in Hawick, Scotland, the son of John Scott & Isabelle Walker who immigrated to New Hampshire in 1864. Eva & Andrew had 1 daughter Annie M. Scott who was born in Hartland in 1881 just before they moved to Camden. Annie never married and was a dressmaker when she died in Camden in 1909 at 28 years old. Annie Scott was the only child of any of the 3 Webb Sisters. Eva & Andrew later returned to Hartland where Andrew died in 1917.
Eva (Webb) Scott (left) & Elmeda (Moor) Webb – c1918
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A decade before Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital opened, Mrs. Frances (Gordan) Tibbetts opened a private hospital in Hartland in 1921 known as Tibbetts Private Hospital at a currently unknown house which operated into the late 1920s. Frances was born in Berlin, Germany in 1884 and came to the states where she married Leonard J. Tibbetts in 1904 in Gloucester, Massachusetts. They moved to Athens by 1910 then by 1913 had moved to St Albans where she opened her first private hospital utilizing the medical services of Dr. Charles A. Moulton and Dr. Lynne H. Blanchard of Hartland.
Frances Tibbetts Hospital Opening in St Albans – June 13, 1913 – Lewiston Sun Journal
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They were living in Harmony by the time the 1920 Census was taken where Frances was noted as “Nurse Trained” before moving to Hartland soon after where she opened her second private hospital in 1921. The couple divorced by 1930 and she moved to Camden where she remained until her death in 1947. A 1923 newspaper article noted some of the details of the Hartland facility but no specific location was included.
“The Town of Hartland should boast the fact she has so an efficient hospital as this one. For two years, Mrs. F. J. Tibbetts has worked tirelessly to make her hospital one which anyone would be proud of and now has one which is well known throughout the community. It is situated on one of the pretty streets of the town and has the appearance of a dwelling but inside its walls are modern requisites for obstetric, surgical and medical cases. It consists of a sanitary operating room with ample equipment, accommodations for many patients, the services always of a trained nurse, and attention to emergency calls day or night. Only the choicest of vegetables are used and most nutritious foods for the patients. The maternal department is up-to-date in every particular. Some of the best known physicians and surgeons come to this hospital bringing with them their own professions attendants.”
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Tibbetts Private Hospital Advertisement – Hartland Academy Newsletter – 1923
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Between 1917 & 1919, every member of the Webb Family except Eva passed away leaving her as the only living descendant of her family. Her father Nathan Webb and sister Cora (Webb) Shaw died in 1917, her sister Nina (Webb) Buck in 1918 and her mother Elmeda (Moor) Webb in 1919. Eva remained at her parents’ former home in Hartland until her death on January 6, 1932. In her Will, she bequeathed her house along with the property to be used specifically as a non-profit general hospital. The Executor of her Will was Dr. Charles Avery Moulton who immediately began the process of converting the house into a hospital.
Eva (Webb) Scott | 1862-1932
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On October 12, 1932, Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital opened its doors with six patient rooms. Dr. Moulton was the Head Physician in charge with his sister Ethel (Moulton) Williamson acting as Supervisor and her husband Eugene Williamson as Caretaker. The original Board of Trustees were Howard J. Haley, Edwin A. Webber, Scott Barnes & Dr. Charles Moulton. Chrystal (McPheters) Goforth was the first nurse to serve at the hospital and was soon joined by Lucille (Braley) Hanson and Miss Fern Hight.
The first patient admitted was 5 year old John Fox who had suffered a ruptured appendix. In the early years of the hospital, boarders were often accepted when there were empty beds. The hospital also kept cows and hens to sell their milk and eggs all in order to exist and help take care of the bills.
Along with his hospital duties and serving as a local physician making house calls, Dr. Moulton was also a business entrepreneur in several successful enterprises in town including the Hartland & St. Albans Telephone Company & Hartland Light & Power Company as well as serving as Hartland School Physician from 1916-1942.
Dr. Charles Avery Moulton
Born March 12, 1860 Concord, Maine | Died December 7, 1946 Hartland, Maine
Graduated Westbrook High School | Graduated Bowdoin Medical School 1885
Moved to St Albans in 1887 then to Hartland in 1897
Head Physician at Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital 1932-1946
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In 1935, Dr. Paul Revere Briggs joined the medical staff marking the beginning of his storied career at Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Paul Revere Briggs
Born July 12, 1904 Ashland, Massachusetts | Died April 20, 1985 Hartland, Maine
Graduated from Tufts University School of Medicine in 1931
Joined Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital Staff in 1935
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As demand quickly grew for the new hospital’s services, it was apparent some expansion and improvements were needed at the converted house to make the facility more efficient and effective for its patients and staff. They began in 1937 by raising the Pleasant Street side ell roof and widening it to provide space for an operating room, delivery room, nursery, additional patient rooms and a new central heating system.
In 1940, Frank Hersey of St Albans funded the Hersey Room in memory of his late wife Annie (Wentworth) Hersey. Other early donations around this time included a room funded by Hartland American Legion Post #141, a room funded by H. C. Baxter & Brothers Canning Co. of Hartland and the Kirstein Room funded by Meyer Kirstein, President of Hartland Tanning Company; the first of his several contributions to the hospital over the years. In 1941, Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital officially incorporated as a non-profit public hospital.
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Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital and the community suffered an immeasurable loss with the passing of its founder Dr. Charles A. Moulton on December 7, 1946. Following Dr. Moulton’s death, Dr. Paul R. Briggs succeeded him as Chief Hospital Administrator and Resident Surgeon. Dr. Briggs had seceded Dr. Moulton as Hartland School Physician in 1942.
Dr. Charles Avery Moulton Obituary – Published December 12, 1946
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In 1947, Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital Auxiliary formed and became instrumental in helping raise funds to build a new North Wing at the hospital. Their efforts over the years enabled the addition of many new pieces of equipment and overall improvement to the facilities. Many members also assisted with some of the daily tasks associated with operating the hospital.
Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Charter Members
(L-R): Edna Wood, Ina (Ouilette) Emery & Meredith (Knowles) Randlett
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Plans for additional renovations and major expansion to the hospital had been in the works for several years prior to construction. Part of the necessary monies needed for the proposed expansion came from a large fundraising effort launched by the hospital in early 1947 to raise $30,000 toward the project.
Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital North Wing Addition General Layout – 1947
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By the end of 1947, the fundraising effort had raised close to $10,000 of its $30,000 goal through the generous contributions of numerous area businesses, civic organizations, church groups, schools and individual citizens from the 15 surrounding communities the hospital regularly serviced and construction began on the new 2 story North Wing addition of Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital.
Progress on construction of the new North Wing – November 1947
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Much of the major construction was completed by early 1948 and when finished increased the hospital’s overall capacity to 60 beds (or 75 beds in an emergency). The new wing eventually included additional patient rooms, an X-Ray Room, Obstetrical Ward, Nursery, Mother’s Ward and a Children’s Ward along with a special fire escape chute built for bed confined patients. The new Maternal Ward was dedicated in memory of the late Dr. Charles A. Moulton. It was funded in part by a special memorial fund known as “Moulton Babies” created by 57 of the hundreds of children who had been delivered by Dr. Moulton in the area over the decades. The basement of the new wing included a large kitchen, laundry room, nurse’s dining room, laboratory and utility storage along with a Dumb Waiter.
Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital following North Wing Addition on Moore Street side – c1949
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A series of undated photos including many of the new rooms in the North Wing Addition.
Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital – North Wing Addition – Children’s Ward Waiting Room
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Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital – Main Waiting Room
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Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital – North Wing Addition – Patient Rooms
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Mrs. Clement Downs of St Albans hand-painted the nursery rhyme murals in the new Children’s Ward.
Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital – North Wing Addition – Children’s Ward
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Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital – North Wing Addition – Offices
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Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital – North Wing Addition – X-Ray Room
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Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital – North Wing Addition – X-Ray Reading Station
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Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital – North Wing Addition – Laboratory
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Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital – North Wing Addition – Laboratory
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Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital – North Wing Addition – Laboratory
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Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital – North Wing Addition – Surgery Room
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Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital – North Wing Addition – Surgery Room
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Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital – North Wing Addition – Basement – Nurse’s Dining Room
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Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital – North Wing Addition – Basement – Kitchen
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Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital – North Wing Addition – Basement – Kitchen
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Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital – North Wing Addition – Basement – Laundry Room
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Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital – North Wing Addition – Basement – Laundry Room
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On May 12, 1949, National Hospital Day was observed at Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital.
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Watson Triplets: Clarence, Chester & Clinton
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Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital Medical Staff – 1956
1st Row (L-R): Dr. Ernest D. Humphrey | Dr. Merlin A. Webber | Dr. Marian Strickland | Dr. Julio G. Rangel
2nd Row: Dr. Paul W. Burke | Dr. R. F. Gloor | Dr. Paul R. Briggs | Dr. Elias R. Nawfel, D.D.S.
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Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital Nursing Staff – 1956
1st Row (L-R): Grace Webber | Ida Briggs | Emily Spear | Madeline Ball | Arlene St. Peter | Eunice Harper | Bessie Nickse | Lucille Hanson
2nd Row: Grace Marble | Bessie Field | Erline Humphrey | Annie Adams | Evelyn Nichols | Thelma Brooks
Rhoda Nelson | Ruth Tibbetts | Irma Stedman | Ada Randlett | Norma Temple
3rd Row: Phyllis Woodman | Glenice Hanson | Marilyn Merrow | Augusta Hayden | Ellen Kelley
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In 1957, Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital celebrated its 25th Anniversary.
25th Anniversary Article – November 22, 1957
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25th Anniversary Article – November 22, 1957
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In 1960, Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital Auxiliary reached its fund raising goal of $10,000 and a new elevator was installed.
Published July 26, 1960 – Bangor Daily News
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Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital – Elevator Addition
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New Elevator Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital in 1960.
(L-R): Dr. Smith | Dr. Robert Dodds | Meredith (Knowles) Randlett | John Plummer | Edgar Woodman
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In 1965, further renovations were made to the facility contracted out to Harold Hubbard of Hartland including installation of a new brick facade.
Published October 29, 1965 – Morning Sentinel
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Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital with its new brick facade – 1970
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A meeting of the Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital Auxiliary held on November 15, 1971. This photo of some of the members present for the meeting was taken by Paul R. Briggs II and accompanied an article he wrote for The Valley Times published on November 18th. The Auxiliary would continue as an invaluable source of resources and support for many years to follow.
L-R: Mrs. Meredith (Knowles) Randlett | Miss Helen Moor Smith | Mrs. Marian (Wyman) Laughton | Miss Gladys M. Bigelow
Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital Auxiliary – November 15, 1971
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By the late 1960s, the hospital faced several insurmountable challenges due in part to staffing issues and numerous costly upgrades and repairs to its equipment and the physical facilities as required to comply with new Federal & State Hospital Standards. While they had been able to operate basically debt free leading up to this time, the Hospital Administration and its Board of Directors decided the massive investment needed to meet the new standards was not financially feasible and voted to close the facility as a full-time public hospital effective October 10, 1970 as announced by Head Hospital Administrator, Dr. Paul R. Briggs.
Headline from Bangor Daily News – Published Tuesday, October 12, 1970
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On September 20, 1971, the Board of Directors reopened part of the closed hospital facility operating as Scott-Webb Memorial Nursing Home while they continued plans for a new out-patient clinic location in the area.
Bangor Daily News – Published September 19, 1971
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On January 20, 1973, the former Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital was sold to the newly formed Sanfield Nursing Home, Incorporated. The new corporation consisted of Detroit residents Algeron “Al” Sanford as President, his wife Flora (Ashe) Sanford as Vice-President and Flora’s sister Rowena “Polly” (Ashe) Field as Secretary-Treasurer and Administrator; combining their surnames to create the “Sanfield” brand.
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Morning Sentinel – Published January 22, 1973
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Monies derived from the sale of the former hospital & grounds were soon invested by Scott-Webb Board of Trustees to purchase property on the Athens Road (Rt 43) in Hartland to build a new modern clinic it had begun planning soon after the hospital closed. Bowman & Littlefield Construction of Hartland began breaking ground for the new structure on March 17, 1974 and quickly progressed on the project until its completion a few months later.
Construction on the new clinic building – 1974
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Construction on the new clinic building – 1974
(Construction photos donated by E. W. Littlefield & Sons)
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The new clinic officially opened October 7, 1974 as the Scott-Webb Memorial Medical Center. Among the many participants in the project, Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital Auxiliary also played a key role bringing the new clinic to fruition and its subsequent operations.
Morning Sentinel – Published September 16, 1974
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Former Scott-Webb Memorial Medical Center – 2018
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Following years of service as Doctor & Administrator at Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital, School Physician and continuing in private practice until his retirement, Dr. Briggs was recognized in 1983 by citizens for his incredible contributions spanning his 48 year career in Hartland.
Town of Hartland Solid Bronze Recognition Plaque presented to Dr. Paul Revere Briggs
(Donated to Hartland Historical Society)
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On April 20, 1985, Dr. Briggs passed away at 80yrs old leaving a legacy of achievements and a town forever grateful for his devoted services.
Dr. Paul Revere Briggs Obituary – Published April 22, 1985 – Morning Sentinel
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Sanfield Nursing Home, Inc. continued operations until March of 1984 when North Country Health Care Associates of Lewiston purchased the facility as part of a large multiple acquisition of 7 nursing homes in Central Maine. They began operating it as Sanfield Rehabilitation and Living Center and continue as such at this time.
Sanfield Rehabilitation and Living Center – 2019
(Photo courtesy of Will Bunker Photography)
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From its humble beginnings as an old converted house to its peak as a renovated, full service 60 bed health care facility, Scott-Webb Memorial Hospital provided an invaluable service to Hartland and the surrounding communities for 38 years. It was the only public hospital within a 25 mile radius of the area until the early 1960s before Sebasticook Valley Hospital was built in Pittsfield in 1963.