The history behind the medical center begins with the wish of the community to honor the legacy of Dr. J. Elmer Harp, Middletown doctor from 1926 - 1976.
Dr. Harp was born in 1899 in Washington County in the Beaver Creek area. He graduated from St. John’s College, Annapolis, and was a graduate of the University of Maryland Medical School in 1923. He began his practice in Myersville. However, after two years there he located in Middletown with his first office in his home on East Main Street. After having his office for thirty years in his home, he moved it to just west of Main’s Meat Market (now the Main Cup Restaurant) renting space from John Seachrist for 20 years.
Many former patients of Dr. Harp’s remember him as being far more interested in giving good care than reaping financial rewards from his work. When asked the amount of the bill, it has been said that Dr. Harp would say “How much change do you have in your pocket?” and take what they gave him.
In the early days of his practice, many babies were delivered at home. On snowy nights he would drive to an expectant mother’s home and sometimes have to walk the last portion to the house as the road was snow covered. Often the baby did not arrive very soon, so he spent the night in the home waiting for the birth of the child. Sometimes his payment for a delivery was a chicken or a ham.
The following is quoted from a newspaper article by Barbara Besley:
After his passing, it was said he was one of the “best friends” the Middletown Valley ever had. Therefore, a group of citizens immediately felt something should be done to show the community’s appreciation for his life of service and in memory of him. Suddenly, the community realized they were without a doctor—not just any doctor, but one who lives on in the hearts of those who knew him.
Thus, began a project which became the Dr. J. Elmer Harp Medical Center, located next to the Middletown town park. This center surely serves as a fitting working memorial to a “beloved physician.”
The Medical Center contains a memorial room containing Dr. Harp’s instruments, an examining couch, and his black satchel. The groundbreaking shovel is displayed in the foyer and a portrait of Dr. Harp is located in the waiting room.
