03/10/2026
Recently, Merrimack Health celebrated 225 years of combined service to the Merrimack Valley, marking the 150th anniversary of Lawrence Hospital and the 75th anniversary of Methuen Hospital — and we commemorated the occasion by opening time capsules from both facilities.
The Lawrence Hospital capsule, originally sealed in 1976 during the nation's Bicentennial, contained a fascinating snapshot of medicine at the time which included an old pacemaker, surgical textbooks, patient menus, and more.
The Methuen Hospital capsule, sealed in 1982 amid hospital growth and expansion, held handwritten letters from employees offering personal reflections and heartfelt well-wishes to the future caregivers who would one day read their words.
These capsules are a powerful reminder that our work today stands on the shoulders of generations of dedicated caregivers who shared the same mission: to serve the Merrimack Valley with compassion, dignity, and respect. We are honored to carry forward the legacies of the caregivers, community members, and founding organizations who made these hospitals what they are today.