DR. JOHN BARD AND DR. SAMUEL BARD OF HYDE PARK Joseph W. Emsley
Hyde Park's Vanderbilt estate has become so well known in Dutchess County, together with the Franklin D. Roosevelt historic home site, that we are indined to forget another famous Hyde Park resident, Dr. Samuel Bard. His father, Dr. John Bard, was famous, too, although his son became more prominent in New York City's early medical and initial hosipal life. Both Dr. Samuel and his father will be remembered in Dutchess for their country residence activities at Hyde Park. To be sure, they were related to the original patentee of Hyde Park, Peter Fauconier, and Dr. John established the Bard residence on the site of the present Vanderbilt mansion. The Bard family was outstanding, too, in the building of historic St. James Church at Hyde Park, and Bard College of Annandale-on-Hudson was named in honor of the famous medical pioneers.
Dr. Samuel Bard Dr. Samuel Bard was the inspirational force behind the founding of New York Hospital in New York City. The present decade celebration of bicentennial events related to the establishment of the federal government in this country points to developments in New York City, the seat of the first capital. A charter was granted to New York Hospital on June 13, 1771. Dr. Bard was the first attending physician at the New York City hospital. He gave it his daily supervision for 23 years. 97
