Foley, Ala. – (OBA) – Nearly 90 years after Baldwin County’s first hospital opened, the Holmes Medical Museum is honoring the hundreds of children born there.

The celebration will take place on Sunday, April 27, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the museum, located in downtown Foley.

From 1936 to 1958, around 200 babies were delivered at the hospital run by Dr. William C. “Buddy” Holmes and his wife, Philomene, a nurse. The hospital was on the second floor of the building at the southwest corner of what is now the intersection of Alabama 59 and U.S. 98.

The couple and others associated with the hospital also delivered about 100 more babies in homes in South Baldwin County.

Today, the hospital has been restored as closely as possible to the condition that it was while operating. The site is now the Holmes Medical Museum. 

Before the hospital was established, part of the building had been the office of Dr. Sibley Holmes, a Foley physician who was the father of William C. Holmes and one of the town’s first mayors. Sibley Holmes’ office has also been restored and is part of the museum.

Museum supporters are working to locate the “Holmes Babies,” born at the hospital or delivered in area homes or their descendants. Holmes Babies and family members are invited to the celebration. Museum supporters are working to create a database of Holmes Babies.

Anyone with information on anyone born at the hospital or delivered by hospital staff members can contact the museum.

The museum can be contacted at 251-970-1818. The museum is located at 111 West Laurel Ave. The facility is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday.