Now that I’m physically ill, it appears that I’m also going mental to boot. This past week has given me a whole new appreciation for American healthcare as I have spent 5 out of the last 7 days at Mary Washington Hospital. Last night I was a guest in their ER and I will return on Monday morning for yet another surgery. All that said, what do you think I did today? Yep, I called Mary Washington Hospital in an effort to conduct some research.

Why? Well for the last week or so I have noticed a very peculiar logo plastered on everything in that hospital from security badges to water cups. It is the Mary Washington Hospital logo (or Medicorp Health System crest) and it adorns every door, every sign, and every vehicle on that campus. Being an historian and former graphic designer, this symbol caught my eye and it has been driving me nuts ever since. It looks so familiar, but I can't seem to identify its origin. The style obviously has a very colonial-feel to it. Is it taken from a Washington-family crest? Perhaps it’s an apple symbolizing the nearby Ferry Farm? I see an eagle and a crown. Whatever it is, I can’t seem to find an explanation for it so I left a message over at MWH’s Public Affairs office. What a weird voicemail that must have been? They better get back to me too as I can see myself blabbering about it endlessly to the poor nurses in recovery. I will let you know what they say, if anything.

UPDATE 12/12: Thanks to our friend Tom Byers who solved this riddle and enabled me to sleep tonight. It appears that the MWH logo is based the coat of arms that George Washington used to identify his family. The crest was originally used in the twelfth century, when one of Washington's ancestors took possession of Washington Old Hall, then in County Durham, in North East England. More Here

Now that I know this, I am even more impressed with the historical accuracy and consideration that was used in the creation of this logo. Perhaps MWH’s PA office can offer more information on the designer. I will let you know. Thanks again Tom. This turned out to be a useful post after all.

Image courtesy of the Sons of Liberty Chapter, SAR