The Washington times., 1924-07-11
PAXTON CHILD
HOSPITAL
OPENED
Wealthy Woman's Request of
Magnificent Virginia Home
Benefits D. c.
By Josephine Tighe.
shlnKtOn Times Staff Correspondent.

Washington Times Staff Correspondent.
LEESBURG, Va, July ia
beautiful charity in which the frail
and sick children Of Washington
are specifically included is opening
here today, with a trained nurse
from the Capital at the head Of
the institution.
"Carlheim," the magnificent es-
tate Of the later Rachel A. Paxton,
is located just outside the town Of
Leesburg. Mrs. Paxton, who died a
little more than two and a half
years ago, willed not only the large
house and extensive grounds as q
home for convalescent children, but
two codicils in her will provided
further endowments Of about $780,
600 for maintainence and improve
mentS.
One Of the stipulations in her will
was that the charity should be func-
tioning within three years after her
death and now three months before
the expiration of that time, the
doors of the institution are thrown
open.
Mrs. Paxton devised that the be-.
quest, which is under the sanction
of the Bishop of the Episcopalian
Church Of the Northern Diocese Of
Virginia, should be known as the
Margaret Paxton Home for Con-
valescent Children" in memory Of
her only child, Margaret Paxton.
Some Parents Admitted.
In addition to caring for in
digent, sick children Mrs. Paxton
provided that in cases where it was
advisable the parents of such chill
dren should also be cared for at
the home.
In selecting convalescents, Lees
burg is to have the first preference,
Loudoun county second and Wash
ington third. By the terms of the
will DR.. J. c. Orr of Leesburg, is
appointed medical adviser.
Miss Corbett, a graduate Of Chill
dren's and Columbia hospitals,
Washington, has been at "Carlheim"
several weeks, and as superinten-
dent Of the Margaret Paxton Home
For Convalescent Children" has
rapidly turned the immense man.
sion into a delightful and inviting
home" for ailing little folk.
"Carlheim" was built Just after
the civil war by Mr.. Paxton, a
wealthy Northerner, whose sym.
pathies were with the South.
Whether or not he had in mind
later devising the estate as an in.
stitution, the living rooms, halls and
baths were built in size and style
more uited to a small hospital
than a private house. And today,
the convalescent children profit.
The attic which is proposed to
turn into gymnasium is larger
than any gymnasium now extant in
the District of Columbia. Every
bathroom in the mansion can com.
fortably hold four tubs. The tower
Of the house is glass on three sides
and looks out on the Blue Ridge
mountains and over into Maryland.
There is pool of mystery"
directly underneath the house which
scientists told Mr.. Paxton had to
do with caverns. The immediate
grounds; the formal garden; the
farm attached, are all things to
gladden. the eyes and hearts of
children.
Miss Corbett has seen to it that
there Is little suggestive of an &C.
tual hospital with regard to ward
and house furnishings. Electric
lights and new steam heat unit
are being installed.
Mrs. Paxton's first idea was to
endow the place as a summer home
for convalescent children but a final
codicil in her will made it an all
year beneficence.
Convalescent children Of Washing
ton will be drafted into the Mar.
garet Paxton Home" through the
various Washington hospitals, with
Children's Hospital leading the list.
Heads Of hospitals in the District
of Columbia, who have been inter.
viewed on the subject, declare that
more necessary and beautiful
charity could not have been con.
ceived.