National Museum of Health and Medicine

National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM) is a museum in Silver Spring, Maryland, near Washington, D.C.. It is a member of the United States Department of Defense's Defense Health Agency. The museum's mission is to preserve, collect, and interpret the history of health and medicine with a particular emphasis on the history of military medicine, surgery, and public health.

History

The NMHM was established during the American Civil War in 1862 as the Army Medical Museum (AMM) by Surgeon General of the United States Army, Dr. William A. Hammond. Initially, its purpose was to collect, catalog, and study specimens of morbidity and mortality for research in military medicine and surgery. Over the years, the museum's collection and its scope of interest expanded to include aspects of health and medicine beyond the military context.

In 1989, the museum became part of the newly created Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), and in 2011, it was transferred to the Defense Health Agency. It was also around this time that the museum was renamed the National Museum of Health and Medicine.

Collections and Exhibits

The NMHM houses a vast collection of more than 25 million objects, including anatomical specimens, medical instruments, artifacts, archives, and photographs. These collections span the history of medicine from the Civil War to the present day, covering various topics such as anatomy, pathology, surgery, neurology, and radiology.

One of the most famous exhibits is the collection of Abraham Lincoln's assassination artifacts, including the bullet that killed him and fragments of his skull. The museum also holds the skeletal remains of Major John J. Meigs, a notable figure from the Civil War, and the brain of Charles J. Guiteau, the assassin of President James A. Garfield.

Education and Research

The NMHM plays a significant role in education and research. It offers a wide range of educational programs, workshops, and lectures for students, educators, health professionals, and the general public. The museum also supports scholarly research and has an extensive library and archives available to researchers interested in the history of medicine, military medicine, and public health.

Location and Accessibility

The museum is located in Silver Spring, Maryland, and is open to the public free of charge. It is accessible to individuals with disabilities, and efforts are made to accommodate all visitors, ensuring an inclusive and educational experience for everyone.

See Also

• Military medicine
• History of medicine
• Surgeon General of the United States Army
• Defense Health Agency