Indiana Medical History Museum: 19th Century medicine & its Hoosier connections
A step inside the front entrance of the Indiana Medical History Museum, and the scent of formaldehyde immediately hits the nostrils. The breathtaking sight of the 100-seat lecture amphitheatre, so perfectly preserved, stirs a privileged and almost sacred feeling within its visitors.
Located in the west side of Indianapolis and constructed in 1895, the building first opened as the Pathological Department of Central State Hospital. The hospital, once known as Central Indiana Hospital for the Insane, finally closed its doors in 1994.
The two-story museum was dedicated in 1896 by Dr. George Edenharter and became a research and education facility for hospital physicians in their pursuit of understanding mental illness. The oldest pathology laboratory in the United States, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
The museum consists of an amphitheater, anatomical museum, autopsy room, library, mental research laboratories and a photography room. During the museum’s one-hour guided tour, exhibits bring to life the era of early medical research, education and practice. In the anatomical room, the public can view a display of brains and other organs of Central State patients autopsied on the premises.
One of most interesting exhibits of the museum is hosted in an adjacent building. Once called the Ice or Dead House, it was here that the hospital stored cadavers but now houses an exhibit of Dr. Marion Scheetz’s practice. A one-time Indiana physician, visitors can see Scheetz’s collection of laboratory equipment, books, personal items and medicine bags.
After your tour, take a walk around the Medicinal Plant Garden just south of the building. This area was constructed by Purdue Master Gardeners of Marion County, and features medicinal plants, trees, shrubs, and vines from the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa.
HelloIndianapolis Tips: Credit/debit cards are not accepted at the museum -- cash only. Guided tours only.
- by Jim Brown , Indianapolis Reporter for HelloMetro
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Jim Brown Jim Brown is a longtime freelance aviation, travel and destination writer and communications professional. A former reporter for Aviation Daily, Air Safety Week and World Airline News, Jim served for more than 15 years as a senior public relations executive for American Airlines, TWA and AirTran Airways.
