Black-and-white photo from the 1930s showing children in hospital beds reading books and magazines during library time in a pediatric ward. A nurse or librarian is assisting, with a book cart labeled "Hospital Service" in the center.

Swedish School of Nursing

A mannequin dressed in a blue-and-white striped 1905 Swedish Hospital nursing uniform, displayed in a historical exhibit with clothing and accessories in the background. A sign explains the uniform’s origin and color significance.

Swedish School of Nursing 1901 - 1973

Milestones

  • Opened in 1899; First class graduated in 1901 with three graduates.
  • 1903 changed from 2 years to 3-year program.
  • Associated with Augsburg College for classes beginning in 1953.
  • Affiliations at St. Peter and Rochester for psychiatric training; University of Minnesota Ancker Hospital, and General Hospital for pediatrics.
  • Class sizes ranged from 3 – 81 over the years.
  • Cadet nurse training programs were done from 1943 to 1945; spring and fall graduations occurred at this time.
  • Closed in 1973.
  • There are over 3,000 graduates from the school.

Books about the school and students are available in the MMC Library Collection: From Stripes to Whites and True Nurse.

The Library has a collection of all the class graduation pictures, some graduate programs, and other items.

HCMC Blue Building

915 S 8th St, Minneapolis, MN
The MMC Collection is located in BL.227.
The HCMC Collection is located in BL.226.
A black and white photo from the mid-20th century of a hospital room with multiple nurses and doctors working
Make a Difference

Support the Hennepin Healthcare History Center, simply write-in "Hennepin Healthcare History Center" in Designation "Other" Field

Donate today
A black-and-white photo of a doctor examining a patient in a hospital bed while a nurse prepares medical instruments nearby. The scene captures mid-20th century hospital care with vintage medical equipment in the background.
Contact Us

Located within Hennepin Healthcare’s HCMC hospital campus in downtown Minneapolis, the Hennepin Medical History Center preserves and shares over a century of hospital history. Visit our public gallery spaces in the lower level of the Blue Building to explore a unique collection of medical artifacts, images, and departmental and nursing school histories.  

Gallery Hours: 
10:00 am to 1:00 pm most Thursdays  

Research or General Inquiries: 
history@hcmed.org or 612-873-6485 

For patients, medical records, or employment inquiries, please access the main website, hennepinhealthcare.org.