Marking 100 Years of Healthcare

A year of celebrations commemorating the centennial anniversary of the Plattsburgh hospital that William Miner funded the construction of culminated with an event on Mr. Miner’s 164^th birthday – October 22, 2026.

In January of 1926, the cross-shaped building with four seven-story wings flanking a ten-story center tower opened its doors in Plattsburgh. Physicians Hospital cost an estimated $4 million to construct (more than $75 million in 2026 dollars). It had 212 patient rooms, each with a private bathroom and capacity for 68 additional beds. It also had the latest medical and technical equipment of the time, including four operating rooms each two stories tall with skylights to provide natural light and an observation amphitheater, facilitating education during surgery.  

William Miner’s friend and personal physician, Dr. Cassius Silver, was largely the inspiration for the hospital. And a bronze plaque mounted over the fireplace in the hospital’s reception room by the front entrance read:

Dear Doctor Silver:

For many years you have patiently and devotedly ministered to the needs of your fellow citizens. Your great skill is a blessing to the Community and has been the means of saving many lives … Your unfaltering modesty has drawn a host of friends about you and the building of the hospital was inspired by your rare quality of mind and heart.

Faithfully Yours, Alice T. and William H. Miner

A photo of Physicians Hospital from the Miner Institute archives. On the left side of the pond is the pumphouse where the time capsule was buried at the Oct. 22 centennial celebration event.

A century later, the hospital which merged with Champlain Valley Hospital in 1967 to form Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) continues to provide quality healthcare to the residents of the North Country.

William and Alice Miner intentionally selected the hospital’s 35-acre campus, recognizing the role of nature in healing.

Hal Mero, left, and Kent Faus who led the centennial planning committee and have built a small museum commemorating 100 years of the hospital on the first floor of CVPH stand in front of the pump house where the time capsule will be buried.

As part of the recent centennial celebration, a time capsule containing mementos from decades of healthcare history was buried near the historic pumphouse by the pond on the hospital’s front lawn. Built alongside the original Physicians Hospital, the pumphouse provided a fitting location for this piece of history. The capsule is scheduled to be unearthed in 2051.

A historic marker was also unveiled on Beekman Street to commemorate the hospital’s 100th anniversary. The celebration concluded with cake in honor of Mr. Miner’s birthday.

Fred Woodward, Ph.D., Chair of Miner Institute's Board of Trustees, stands near the newly unveiled historic marker on Beekman Street in front of CVPH in Plattsburgh.