Health House   Photo: 1945 Baxter Seminary Highlander

The Baxter Seminary infirmary and clinic, Health House, was completed in 1941.  It was funded by the Daughters of the American Revolution.  Care was given there to the ill students and residents of the western end of Putnam County.

"COOKEVILLE D.A.R. AIDS IN HEALTH HOUSE 16 YEARS:

"Sixteen years ago as their Jubilee project to commemorate the founding of the Tennessee Daughters of the American Revolution, members of that organization began financial sponsorship of an institution on the Baxter Seminary campus that has grown to be a necessary and useful part of the whole Baxter area.  The Health House, as it was later named, was finally commissioned to be built after the state DAR and the local chapter under the regency of Mrs. Benton Carlen, who was state vice regent at the time, searched all over Tennessee for a suitable project to mark the organization’s 50th year.

"Contributions the state DAR gave were matched by the school and the building was constructed by student labor. In two years the first section was completed.

"About eight years later additional funds were given to complete the next section with a second story of wards.

"The name 'Health House' was chosen by Mrs. William H. Pouch who was then president general of the United States Daughters of the American Revolution, on a visit to Baxter.

"The infirmary clinic takes care of the illnesses of students and residents of that section of the county under the direction of Mrs. Ruby Jared of Buffalo Valley.

"Practical nursing courses were instituted for two years after World War II and a great many students at the seminary completed courses there as part of their curriculum.  The courses were finally dropped because of a lack of school funds to keep them going.

"The Health House is a well equipped clinic and between 12 and 15 students and about six adults are on duty all the time as staff members or trainees.

"It has become regarded as a community enterprise in recent years because so many persons from Baxter and the surrounding area use it.  There are no fees and the training the Health House affords is part of the health and physical education training many students receive.

"Dr. Harry Upperman, president of the Seminary, says the Health House 'is so intertwined with the seminary setup that it is a credit both to the Tennessee Daughters of the American Revolution and to Baxter Seminary.'

"Dr. Upperman said the list of women responsible for the Health House’s being on the seminary property is tremendous, but he mentioned several who in particular were instrumental in its building: Mrs. Rutledge Smith, Mrs. Robert W. Lowe, Mrs. William H. Lambeth, Mrs. Walter M. Berry, Mrs. W. A. Howard, Mrs. Anna Lee Kratzer, and Mrs. Pouch.  Photo: Picture Post Card

"The Health House can take care of at least 40 persons at one time with its supply of modern equipment and sufficient beds.  The exterior of the clinic is brick veneer on tile and was constructed by student’s in the building trades classes.  Much of the furniture and equipment was also constructed by the students.

"A young Magnolia tree was planted on the lawn of 'The Little Grey House' in Baxter, last week, to commemorate the close relationship between the Tennessee DAR and Dr. and Mrs. Harry L. Upperman of Baxter Seminary.  The Tennessee Daughters of the American Revolution sponsored the building of the Health House on the Baxter campus 16 years ago and have continued their interest in the project." - Putnam County Herald, Cookeville, TN:  November 8, 1956