The Lady Stanley Institute for Trained Nurses was the first nursing school in Ottawa, Ontario, located at the corner of Rideau Street and Wurtemburg Street along the Rideau River.
It was founded in 1890 by Constance Stanley, Baroness Stanley of Preston and later Countess of Derby. She was the wife of Frederick Arthur Stanley, 16th Earl of Derby, who served as Governor General of Canada from 1888 to 1893.
On February 18, 1890, at a meeting of representative citizens of Ottawa convened at the City Hall on the invitation of Lady Stanley of Preston, it was suggested the establishment of an institution for training nurses. Lady Stanley's idea of such institution was affirmed and approved by formal resolution. A provisional executive committee was appointed during that meeting.
COMMITTEE: Samuel Howell, John A. Cameron, John C. Edwards, W. Lake Marler, J. Travers Lewis, F.P. Bronson, C. Berkeley Powell, William Whillans, Thomas Birkett, Alderman McLean, W.A. Allan Bate, E. Seybold, The Honorable Mr. Justice Patterson, The Honorable Mr Justice Burbidge, Mr Sheriff Edward Moore, Alonzo Wright, M.P., John R. Booth, W. C. Edwards, M.P. G.B. Pattee, A.J. Stephens, and T.C. Keefer, C.E.
The first step of that committee was to decide that the institution is named "The Lady Stanley Institute for Trained Nurses". Lady Stanley was appointed as honorary president and the Baroness Macdonald of Earnschliffe as vice president. The committee then ascertained an approximated amount of money of $20,000 to acquire a site and to construct a suitable building. It was then decided to appeal to the public for subscriptions:
On June 14, 1890, the provisional committee called a meeting of the subscribers after receiving enough funds to start the project. The committee submitted a draft Declaration and Certificate of Incorporation to which they received their approval. The Charter of Incorporation was secured during the next days.
On June 17, 1890, the Certificate of Incorporation under the Act respecting Benevolent, Provident and other Societies, chapter 172 of the Revised Statutes of Ontario, 1887 for the Society of The Lady Stanley institute for Trained Nurses was examined and certified by William Aird Ross, Judge of the County Court of the County of Carleton of the Province of Ontario. It was filed on the same day by Robert Lees, Clerk of the Peace in and for the County of Carleton of the Province of Ontario. The authorised objects of the Institute are set forth in Clause Two of the Declaration or Certificate of Incorporation, as follows: The establishment and maintenance at the City of Ottawa of a School or Institute for Training Nurses for the sick, and a home of residence for trained nurses, and as incidental thereto the providing of trained nurses for those who require their services.
On June 21, 1890, the provisional committee handed over the work of establishing the institute to a board of directors elected by the Subscribers.
During the summer 1890, the committee selected and purchased a site at the corner of Rideau Street and Wurtemberg Street in Ottawa at the cost of $950, which the board considered a very reasonable price. It was situated beside the General Protestant Hospital, which was itself located at the corner of Rideau Street and Charlotte Street. The committee then obtained, accepted and approved of a plan and specifications. It called for tenders for the whole work of construction, and entered into contracts based upon the best offers submitted by September 11 from which time the building was erected. By January 26, 1891, at the First Annual Report, the sum of $13,885.50 was promised of which $11,600.50 was paid up. All the equipment and furniture of the institute were provided by the honorary president and vice president with the assistance of a large number of women. The institute was furnished at no cost to the funds of the corporation. The directors recorded the following: "the great obligations under which the Institute is placed to Her Excellency and to Lady Macdonald for the great interest which they have shown in the scheme, and their untiring efforts towards making it a success."
By May 21, 1891, the institute was completed for the sum of $15,830 well under the budgeted amount. It was fully equipped and furnished for the sum of $3,000 free of charge to the corporation. An unknown friend of the institute gave $4,000 to secure the cost of maintenance during the start of its operation.