The Watkins wing opened in January 1863 to treat 36 patients including those afflicted with smallpox. It was named after John Watkins, a local business man and a life governor of the hospital, who donated $4,000 to pay for the entire cost of the new wing.
![Watkins & Main](/sites/default/files/styles/1_1_scale_and_crop_x_small/public/legacy/images/milestone/main_building_and_watkins_wing_1862-1890_crop.jpg?h=be186529&itok=Oif5hmc6)
![Watkins & Main](/sites/default/files/styles/1_scale_large/public/legacy/images/milestone/main_building_and_watkins_wing_1862-1890_crop.jpg?itok=tsurASM3)
An artist's rendering of the Main building and Watkins wing circa 1863