Army Medical Museum and Library

Historical medical museum and library in Washington, D.C.

Army Medical Museum and Library

The Army Medical Museum and Library was a significant institution in Washington, D.C., dedicated to the collection and preservation of medical artifacts, specimens, and literature. It played a crucial role in the advancement of medical science and education in the United States.

An opossum feigning death

History

The museum was established during the American Civil War in 1862 by Surgeon General William A. Hammond to collect "specimens of morbid anatomy together with projectiles and foreign bodies removed" and to serve as a center for the study of military medicine. Initially, it was housed in the Ford's Theatre building, but it later moved to a purpose-built structure on the National Mall.

Collections

The museum's collections included a wide array of medical specimens, including anatomical and pathological specimens, as well as medical instruments and equipment. It also housed a vast library of medical literature, which was an invaluable resource for medical professionals and researchers.

Grass snake playing dead

Contributions to Medical Science

The Army Medical Museum and Library contributed significantly to the field of pathology and the study of epidemiology. It was instrumental in the development of medical photography and the use of visual aids in medical education. The museum's collections were used extensively for research and teaching purposes.

Relocation and Legacy

In 1969, the museum's collections were transferred to the newly established National Museum of Health and Medicine at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The library's collections were integrated into the National Library of Medicine. The legacy of the Army Medical Museum and Library continues to influence medical research and education today.

Phyllomedusa burmeisteri in a state of tonic immobility

Related Pages

• National Museum of Health and Medicine
• National Library of Medicine
• Walter Reed Army Medical Center
• American Civil War
• William A. Hammond

Common swift exhibiting apparent death