The MCHS recently dedicated the Crescent Street Hospital historical marker at 77-83 Crescent Street (across from the YMCA), the newest Middletown Heritage Trail addition.
Founded by Dr. Louis Loffredo in 1937, the hospital served thousands of Middletown families through the 1960s.
Born in Italy in 1894, Dr. Loffredo emigrated to Connecticut with his family at age three. After graduating from Middletown High School in 1914, he received his B.A. and M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, becoming Chief of Surgery at Middlesex Memorial Hospital in 1929. After founding the Crescent Street Hospital in 1937, he and his wife, Eva, a nurse who trained at the Middlesex Hospital School of Nursing, owned and operated the hospital for over 25 years, providing surgical, medical, x-ray, and maternity services. “Doc,” as his patients and friends affectionately called him, and his hospital, are still remembered fondly by many in Middletown.
The former hospital building dates back to 1866, when it was constructed as an early rowhouse. Dr. Loffredo converted the historic rowhouses into his hospital seven decades later.
Thank you to the Loffredo Family, especially to Councilman Vinnie Loffredo and Peter Loffredo (two of Dr. Louis Loffredo and Eva Loffredo’s sons), for supporting this project with the MCHS.
