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Exhibition Program

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Exhibitions:

Previous Displaysat the National Libary of Medicine

The Exhibition Program develops traveling and online exhibitions in conjunction with temporary displays featured at the National Library of Medicine. Temporary exhibitions showcased in the 4,000 square foot Rotunda Gallery are considered our flagship exhibitions. These shows often occupy additional space in the 2,000 square foot Lobby. Special displays are temporary shows featured in the History of Medicine Division Reading Room and are smaller, more focused explorations of our historical collections.

For information about the current exhibitions on display at the National Library of Medicine, please visit the Find an Exhibition Near You Page.

  • Rare book

    "And there's the humor of it": Shakespeare and the four humors

    The National Library of Medicine featured the special display “And there’s the humor of it”: Shakespeare and the four humors in the History of Medicine Division Reading Room January 30, 2012–August 17, 2012.

    In addition, a six-banner traveling adaptation of “And there’s the humor of it” launched March 19, 2012. For more information, please visit the Traveling Exhibition page.

  • Black and white photograph of five men

    Life and Limb: The Toll of the American Civil War

    The special display Life and Limb: The Toll of the American Civil War was on view in the National Library of Medicine’s History of Medicine Division’s reading room from March 7, 2011-July 1, 2011.

    In addition, a six-banner traveling adaptation launched March 21, 2011. For more information, please visit the Traveling Exhibition page.

  • Photograph of a display case with a blue banner behind it titled

    Binding Wounds, Pushing Boundaries: African Americans in Civil War Medicine

    The National Library of Medicine featured the special display Binding Wounds, Pushing Boundaries: African Americans in Civil War Medicine in the History of Medicine Division Reading Room October 1, 2010–February 28, 2011.

    In addition, a six-banner traveling adaption of Binding Wounds, Pushing Boundaries launched October 1, 2010. For more information, please visit the Traveling Exhibition page.

  • Photograph of several display cases and banners

    The Henkel Physicians: A Family's Life in Letters

    The National Library of Medicine featured the special display The Henkel Physicians: A Family’s Life in Letters in the History of Medicine Division Reading Room June 2010–September 2010.

    In addition, a six-banner traveling adaptation launched September 5, 2011. For more information, please visit the Traveling Exhibition page.

  • Photograph of several banners

    Within these Walls: Contraband Hospital and the African Americans Who Served There

    The National Library of Medicine featured the exhibition Within these Walls: Contraband Hospital and the African Americans Who Served There in in the Lister Hill Lobby from February 1, 2010-June 11, 2010 as part of the library’s celebration of African American History Month.

  • Photograph of a large display case with religious images inside

    Everyday Miracles: Medical Imagery in Ex-Votos

    The National Library of Medicine featured the special display Everyday Miracles: Medical Imagery in Ex-Votos September 15, 2008–January 31, 2009.

    In addition, a traveling poster adaptation of the display launched September 15, 2009. For more information, please visit the Traveling Exhibition page.

  • Color photograph of a medieval manuscript

    Do Mandrakes Really Scream?: Magic and Medicine in Harry Potter

    The National Library of Medicine featured the special display Do Mandrakes Really Scream?: Magic and Medicine in Harry Potter in the History of Medicine Division Reading Room July 24, 2007–November 30, 2007.

  • Photograph of a display case with two posters

    Opening Doors: Contemporary African American Academic Surgeons

    The National Library of Medicine featured the special display and traveling banner exhibition Opening Doors: Contemporary African American Academic Surgeons, a collaborative project with the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture, which showcased its own exhibition on the subject, February 1, 2007–May 31, 2007.

    Subsequently, the banner exhibition began traveling August 1, 2007. For more information, please visit the Traveling Exhibition page.

  • Photograph of several banners

    Against the Odds: Making a Difference in Global Health

    The National Library of Medicine featured the flagship exhibition Against the Odds: Making a Difference in Global Health in the Rotunda Gallery April 17, 2008–December 17, 2010.

    In addition, a six-banner traveling adaptation of Against the Odds launched October 7, 2008. For more information, please visit the Traveling Exhibition page.

    As a special tour, the Association of Schools of Public Health traveled one copy of the show to member institutions for one year.

  • Photograph of a room with several display cases visible in the background

    Visible Proofs: Forensic Views of the Body

    The National Library of Medicine featured the flagship exhibition Visible Proofs: Forensic Views of the Body in the Rotunda Gallery and Lobby February 16, 2006–February 25, 2008.

  • The title panel and graphic display for the Changing the Face of Medicine

    Changing the Face of Medicine: Celebrating America’s Women Physicians

    The National Library of Medicine featured the flagship exhibition Changing the Face of Medicine: Celebrating America’s Women Physicians in the Rotunda Gallery and Lobby October 14, 2003 to November 19, 2005.

    In conjunction with the American Library Association, the Exhibition Program adapted Changing the Face of Medicine to a panel-style traveling exhibition, which was made available to libraries across America. The traveling panel show toured from August 31, 2005 to November 15, 2010 under management of the American Library Association. The National Library of Medicine continued to make the exhibition available to interested host institutions through October 7, 2012.

  • The title panel for the Dream Anatomy exhibition

    Dream Anatomy

    The National Library of Medicine featured the flagship exhibition Dream Anatomy in the Rotunda Gallery and Lobby October 9, 2002–July 31, 2003.

  • An aerial photograph of the Once and Future Web Exhibition

    The Once and Future Web: Worlds Woven by the Telegraph and Internet

    The National Library of Medicine featured the flagship exhibition The Once and Future Web: Worlds Woven by the Telegraph and Internet in the Rotunda Gallery and Lobby May 24, 2001–July 31, 2002.

  • View of an informational installation from above

    Breath of Life

    The National Library of Medicine featured the flagship exhibition Breath of Life in the Rotunda Gallery and Lobby March 22, 1999–March 2001.

  • The title panel for the Frankenstein exhibition installation

    Frankenstein: Penetrating the Secrets of Nature

    The National Library of Medicine featured the flagship exhibition Frankenstein: Penetrating the Secrets of Nature in the Rotunda Gallery and Lobby October 31, 1997–August 1998.

    In conjunction with the American Library Association, the Exhibition Program adapted Frankenstein to a panel-style traveling exhibition, which was made available to libraries across America. The traveling panel show toured October 2002 to September 2007 under management of the American Library Association. The National Library of Medicine continued traveling the show October 8, 2007 through March 24, 2012.

  • Hand colored photograph of a block long three story brick building

    So, What’s New in the Past?

    The National Library of Medicine featured the flagship exhibition So, What’s New in the Past? in the Lobby of the National Library of Medicine July 7, 1997–September 30, 1997.

  • The title panel for the Emotions and Disease exhibition

    Emotions and Disease

    The National Library of Medicine featured the flagship exhibition Emotions and Diseases in the Rotunda Gallery and Lobby November 13, 1996–May 1, 1997.