The National Museum of Health and Medicine inspires interest in and promotes the understanding of medicine—past, present, and future—with a special emphasis on tri-service American military medicine. As a National Historic Landmark recognized for its ongoing value to the health of the military and to the nation since 1862, the Museum identifies, collects, and preserves important and unique resources to support a broad agenda of innovative exhibits, educational programs, and scientific, historical, and medical research.
About the Museum
The Museum combines major collections (the five are Anatomical, Historical, Otis Historical Archives, Human Developmental Anatomy, and Neuroanatomical) in a health and medical context. The Museum offers visitors a unique perspective on health and medicine, because it is one of the few places where the public can actually see the effects of disease on the human body. Additionally, it is one of the few places that disease can be seen with the instruments and equipment used to diagnose and/or treat the disease, with case histories of patients afflicted with the disease.
Our Exhibits
Our current exhibits include:
- Advancements in Military Medicine
- Anatomy and Pathology
- Collection that Teaches
We also offer several virtual exhibits and you can view our past exhibits online. >>View Our Exhibits
Our Collections
The National Museum of Health and Medicine is dedicated to preserving, collecting, and interpreting the objects, specimens, photographs and documents chronicling the history and practice of medicine over the centuries. Our collections represent archival materials, anatomical and pathological specimens, medical instruments and artifacts, and microscope slide-based medical research collections. The collections focus particularly on the history and practice of American medicine, military medicine, and current medical research issues. >>Learn More