Today in Archbold History: Original Charter Granted for Archbold Corporation

Original Charter Granted for Archbold Corporation

May 28, 1923

The original charter of John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital was granted May 28, 1923, one hundred and two years ago. The charter established an organization of citizens of Thomasville and the surrounding region to handle the activities of the institution. 

Jack Archbold and several local citizens founded the Corporation of the John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital so that community members and hospital supporters could be involved in decisions made about the hospital, including the election of board members. The corporation was made up of citizens who applied for membership and paid an annual fee of $5 or $100 for lifetime membership. Membership was, and still is, a way to invest in the hospital's future and the community itself. Jack Archbold knew the hospital's long-term success would require community buy-in and philanthropic support. 

Judge H.W. Hopkins (left) was the first president of the Archbold Corporation and is believed to be the only man to serve on the boards of all three hospitals in Thomasville’s history (Charity Hospital, City Hospital and John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital). He presided over the dedication ceremony of the hospital in 1925 and its first corporation meeting in 1926.

In the early years of Archbold’s history, there were separate officers of the Corporation and the Board of Trustees, but in 1953, these were merged into a single board structure.

The Archbold Corporation remains a group of citizens interested in the activities of the hospital and meets annually to elect the members of the Archbold Medical Center board of trustees.

Every January, eligible members are voted in by the Archbold Medical Center Board of Trustees and are thus considered lifetime members. To learn more about how you can make a gift and become a Corporation member, please contact the Archbold Foundation.

To learn more about Archbold’s history and how you can participate in our centennial celebrations, please visit www.archbold.org/100.