The Loudoun Hospital Ladies Board is celebrating its 95th anniversary this year and, as part of the celebration, the Ladies Board has created an exhibit honoring Edith Eustis, who was the first president of the first Ladies Board. She was also largely instrumental in the preservation of Oatlands. The exhibit will be on display in Oatlands' Carriage House from September, 10 through November 2.

In 1912, a group of doctors realized the need for a hospital in Loudoun County but were reluctant to move forward on a plan to build until they had the full support of the women in the community that would ensure a reliable source of volunteers. On June 25, 1912, women representing all of the churches of Leesburg and each of the surrounding towns and villages met and formed the first Ladies Board of Managers, consisting of 40 members. Eustis was elected president.

Eustis' support continued throughout the years and included financial support. Her daughters, Margaret Eustis Finley and Anne Eustis Emmet, followed in her footsteps by serving on the Ladies Board.

The first Ladies Board began with a "donation day," inviting all community residents to come and take a look at the new hospital. They were encouraged to bring a contribution—a needed item, groceries or financial donation.

Edith Eustis is also credited with bringing life back to Oatlands. In 1903, Mr. and Mrs. William Corcoran Eustis purchased Oatlands as their country home. Edith noticed that the garden was in major disrepair and she worked for many years restoring it. Many of her plantings, including the boxwood lined parterres are still prominent and beautiful focal points of the Oatlands garden. The couple also modernized the house where they hosted many of Washington's elite. One of their many prestigious and frequent guests was their friend, Franklin Roosevelt.

After Edith's death in 1964, her children gave the house, its furnishings and 261 acres to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The Loudoun Hospital Ladies Board continues to look after the well-being of patients and to help supply needed equipment and comfort items through the sale of donations from the community to the "Twice as Nice Thrift Store" and the "Annual Rummage Sale"

For more information, visit www.ladiesboard.org.