News & Views of Phillips Since 1976
Sunday September 6th 2026
Dr. Martha Ripley: A Life Dedicated to Women and Their Babies
250th from Tales from Pioneers and Soldiers Cemetery…
By SUE HUNTER WEIR
Minneapolis’ Maternity Hospital in 1887.
In 1887, Dr. Martha G. Ripley opened the city’s first hospital whose mission was to serve
pregnant women and their infants. This was at a time when 95% of women had their babies at
home. The infant mortality rate in 1885 is only an estimate, and ranges from 250-300 infant
deaths per 1,000 live births. Dr. Ripley dedicated the next 25 years of her life to changing that.
Infant mortality rate in 1885:
250-300 deaths per 1,000 live births.
She wasn’t always successful. Seventy of the people (two adults and 26 infants) who are
buried in the cemetery died in the Maternity Hospital. The first burial was 22-year-old Agnes
Clayton, one of the two adults. She died on April 15, 1887, from puerperal fever, a postpartum
bacterial infection. Agnes, like a majority of the women who gave birth in the Maternity Hospital,
was single. Little else, other than that she was born in Canada, is known about her. It appears
that her baby survived.
Agnes was typical of many of the women who gave birth at the hospital.… Read the rest “Dr. Martha Ripley: A Life Dedicated to Women and Their Babies”
Franklin Library News: Sept. ’26
Compiled by Christina Smith, Librarian
FRANKLIN LIBRARY HOURS
M, F, Sa: 9am – 5pm
Tues – Thurs: 12pm – 8pm
Sun: 12pm – 5pm
CLOSURE
Labor Day, September 7 th
PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH
Let’s Read
(Grades K-5)
Starting September 8 th
Tues and Thurs: 4:00 – 7:30 pm
Saturdays: 2:00 – 5:00 pm
Free in-person reading support for K-5 students. Students and trained volunteer tutors meet weekly
one-on-one to work on grade level reading skills.
Homework Help
(Grades K-12)
Starting September 8 th
Tues and Thurs: 4:00 – 7:30 pm
Saturdays: 2:00 – 5:00 pm
Free in-person tutoring for K-12 students. No advanced sign-up needed.
STEAM Workshop
(Ages 8+)
Starting September 2 nd
Wednesdays: 5:00 – 6:00 pm
Drop in for fun and creative STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) experiments and
projects! Materials provided. Led by Franklin Library’s Teen STEAM Squad.
Polar Bear Nights
(Grades 1-8)
Saturday, September 12 th
3:00 – 4:30 pm
The Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights is a colorful “dancing light” display seen in the Arctic Region of
North America. Work with an artist to create a landscape painting that combines watercolor with salt.
Then draw and cut out a polar bear with her cubs to add to your painting.… Read the rest “Franklin Library News: Sept. ’26”
Innovative Permanently Affordable Townhomes Coming to Phillips
First Minnesota townhome project to be certified in energy efficient passive home design.
By the alley VOLUNTEER STAFF
PHOTO: Trio Development Group
These 10 energy-efficient, permanently affordable townhomes will be completed this year in Phillips Community. Applications being taken.
Green On 14’s one, two, and four-bedroom units are next to the Midtown Greenway, close to the Midtown Global Market, other businesses, major employment centers, and public transit.
It is Minnesota’s first townhome project to receive Passive House Institute Design Certification, PHIUS – a
standard to reduce heating and cooling demand by 75% to 90%. Passive House design relies on highly insulated walls, high-performance windows, airtight construction, and continuous fresh-air ventilation for less energy, and being comfortable, quiet, and healthy.
$8 to $35 monthly utility costs, a fraction of typical bills, are made possible by all-electric design, solar energy, heat pump systems, and a constant change of indoor and outdoor air.
Green On 14 will be permanently affordable because of the land trust concept. Homebuyers
purchase the home, while the City of Lakes Community Land Trust retains ownership of the land. Homeowners build equity.
These townhomes are available to income- qualified households earning 60–80% of the area median income.… Read the rest “Innovative Permanently Affordable Townhomes Coming to Phillips”
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