Fig . 9A Thomas Eakins ’ painting of the Gross Clinic shows 1875 surgeons in street clothing using unsterile instruments .
Fig . 9B Eakins ’ later painting of the Agnew Clinic shows 1889 surgeons using OR gowns and sterile instruments .
( continued from page 19 ) examination and highest general standing . That fall he pursued post-graduate studies in Germany with enrollment at the University of Berlin for five semesters . In 1869 , he returned to Kentucky and commenced practice in Louisville with an office at 3rd and Green ( Liberty ), which he retained throughout his career . His substantial anatomic knowledge led to appointment as Professor of Anatomy at the Kentucky School of Medicine in 1870 . He displayed superb teaching skills , and he was appointed to the same position at LMC , thus holding Chairs in the two Louisville schools simultaneously . His clinical skills were displayed in regular teaching at the Louisville City Hospital , where his rounds and amphitheater presentations were highly regarded ( Fig . 6 ). At LMC , he rotated as Dean and Trustee in a shared administrative structure .
Dr . Kelly was a successful real estate investor , and his LMC colleagues turned to him for leadership in land purchase at 1 st and Chestnut , and construction of the permanent home for LMC . However , by the turn of the century , he became convinced that Louisville ’ s medical schools needed to consolidate , and he became an advocate and architect of process . Following merger into one school , the U of L Medical Department , he continued his respected teaching , his strong practice and his professorship on the U of L faculty until 1918 .
CONSTRUCTION OF THE SPECTACULAR LMC BUILDING
Dr . Clinton Kelly , with six other faculty members and their wives ,
purchased the property at 1 st and Chestnut for $ 17,250 , and supervised the $ 150,000 3-year ( 1891-93 ) construction . They hired the prestigious Louisville architectural firm of Clarke and Loomis , who executed the design in Romanesque Revival style , inspired by the 11 th and 12 th century Romanesque churches of southern Europe . This style was revived in the 19 th century by Henry Hobson Richardson , the leading American architect of the post-Civil War era . The signature bell tower , the thick stone walls and columns , and the rounded arches of entrances , windows and interior vaults reflect that style ( Fig . 7 ). The building was constructed of Bedford Stone Quarry limestone , and it visually projected the stability of LMC and authority of medicine ’ s status .
Opening for classes on September 11 , 1893 , the facility was immediately recognized as a masterpiece , and was cited by Dr . Joseph Matthews in 1896 as “ one of the finest edifices devoted to medicine in the Union .” Kentucky Heritage Commission historian , Walter Langsam wrote in 1973 , “ Architecturally , this is one of the finest buildings in Louisville … It is a notable example of that ( Richardson Romanesque ) style . The great gray walls slope gradually inward to enforce the sense of massiveness , lightened by exquisite carved ornament , and are highlighted by the bright red tile roof , which makes of the tower a city landmark . The superb massing of the various elements reflects the functional interior , creating on each side a balanced front , always leading the eye to the climax of the tower . The combination of height with solidarity , power with delicacy , aesthetic appeal with functionalism has seldom been more satisfactorily achieved …”
The structure was of four stories over a complete basement . The
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