La Source Foundation Archives | History of Care

La Source Foundation Archives collect, preserve and promote documents that bear witness to the history, activities and development of the Foundation and its entities.

This collection of international significance has been preserved continuously since 1859. Through the history of La Source School of Nursing and La Source Clinic, it provides a unique insight into the evolution of nursing education and the nursing profession.

The collections comprise over 700 linear metres of documents and varied collections originating from the institutional and professional history, supplemented by private donations.

L'auditoire de La Source, 1927. Archives Fondation La Source © Emile Gos

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The archive collections are open and accessible to anyone interested in the history of nursing and the history of La Source.

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Exceptional historical collections

Catalogue des uniformes Source de la Maison Bonnard, vers 1930. Archives Fondation La Source

Paper and digital archive collections

La Source Foundation Archives hold documents that bear witness to the development of the School, the Foundation and the various organisations that have been associated with it over the years. These include, in particular, the archives of the founders, former management teams, and the healthcare facilities linked to the School, such as the Clinique de Beaulieu (now La Source Clinic), the Dispensary and the Infirmary. Student files, which have been kept since the School’s foundation, document the career paths of nurses over the decades. Private collections, such as that of the Nurses’ Association, shed further light on the institutional history and the history of nursing. Finally, the documentary collections contribute to the study of the history of the nursing profession through a rich array of materials (books, documentary collections, reference works, press cuttings, etc.)

Cours de réanimation cardiaque à La Source, 1964. Auteur inconnu. Archives Fondation La Source

Audiovisual collections

The pictorial collection comprises photographs, posters, teaching materials and anatomical charts. This exceptional collection bears witness to institutional life, the development of healthcare practices and the evolution of the profession’s teaching methods, as illustrated by images of the School and the Clinic over time. Through images of training venues, places of practice and work placements, as well as the various cohorts of students, it traces the history of the profession and of those who have shaped it. This collection also documents the institution’s international outreach, notably through placements abroad, humanitarian missions and the commitment of nurses during the two World Wars. An audiovisual collection complements this body of work, comprising personal accounts, institutional films and video recordings that enrich the memory of the institution and the profession.

Ampoule de solution glucosée hypertonique, Fin 19ème - début 20ème siècle. Archives Fondation La Source

Collections of objects

In particular, the collection comprises around 120 medals and brooches which bear witness to the international renown of the School and of the ‘Sourciennes’ – earned through their work during the First and Second World Wars, as well as for their service to the public. Nearly 450 items of uniform are also preserved, illustrating the evolution of the uniforms worn by the nurses of La Source from 1890 to the present day. These range from the cotton dress of the late 19th century to the work and casual wear of the 1930s. From the 18th century to the present day, more than 600 medical and nursing instruments, either used in the clinic’s activities or donated privately, have been collected. These objects illustrate, for example, the history of enemas, injections, surgery, gynaecology, pharmacy, medicine and nursing care. This collection includes both professional equipment and the teaching materials used during training. The Foundation’s artworks enrich this collection by reflecting the institution’s visual and cultural identity.

Visits and access to the archives

The archive collections are open and accessible to anyone interested in the history of nursing and that of La Source. The archives department is available to respond to any enquiries.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the archives intended for?

Anyone interested in the history of nursing and the history of La Source.

Is there any charge for accessing the archives?

Yes, access is free of charge. The archives can be viewed by appointment.

Is it possible to arrange a visit to La Source Foundation Archives?

Yes. Guided tours of the archives can be arranged. Please let us know if there is a specific topic you are interested in.

What is contained in the archives of La Source Foundation?

La Source Foundation Archives contain paper and digital records, books, photographs, audiovisual materials and artefacts that document the history of La Source School of Nursing and La Source Clinic. They provide a unique insight into the development of nursing education and the nursing profession.

Can I obtain digital copies of the archives?

Digital copies may be made in accordance with legal requirements, data protection regulations and retention rules. Any enquiries or requests for reproduction must be submitted to the archives department, please contact us. A form for requesting access or reproduction will then be sent to you.

Do the archives hold the medical records of patients at La Source Clinic?

No, patients’ medical records are processed solely at La Source Clinic in accordance with the legal and regulatory provisions in force. La Source Foundation Archives, however, hold the Clinic’s historical, administrative and institutional records. They are therefore able to provide information on its history, organisation, activities and development over time.

Archives of La Source Foundation