Nov. 02, 2026 | By Mark Oswell, Defense Health Agency Communications
Located in Silver Spring, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C., the National Museum of Health and Medicine chronicles the history of military medicine while documenting its ongoing innovations.
Army Surgeon General William A. Hammond established the institution in 1862 during the Civil War as the Army Medical Museum. Its mission was to research battlefield trauma and surgery to improve combat casualty care. Hammond directed Union medical officers to collect and forward specimens of "morbid anatomy together with projectiles and foreign bodies removed" directly to his office.
The museum today houses more than 25 million artifacts and specimens, ranging from Paul Revere’s dental tools to modern diagnostic equipment. Exhibits explore combat casualty care, forensic identification, and traumatic brain injury research. Among its most prominent holdings are artifacts linked to the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, including the bullet that ended his life.
The museum’s research collections span more than 250 years of innovation, highlighting the symbiotic relationship between military and civilian healthcare. Researchers frequently draw upon its extensive holdings, which encompass archival records, anatomical and pathological specimens, medical devices, and microscope slide collections.
Public engagement remains integral to NMHM’s mission. The museum regularly hosts guided tours, interactive STEM programs — such as Brain Awareness Day and the Teddy Bear Clinic — and a monthly lecture series that gives leading medical historians and military researchers a platform to present their work. All events are free and open to the public.
By integrating history, science, technology, and the humanities, NMHM advances public understanding of military medicine and its broader societal impact.
"Our collection is not just a repository of history — it is a bridge connecting past lessons in military medicine to the innovations protecting warfighters today," said Andrea Schierkolk, NMHM public programs manager. "Through our tours, workshops, and lecture series, we invite service members, researchers, and the public to discover how military medicine shapes global health."
Visitor information
- Address: National Museum of Health and Medicine, 2500 Linden Lane, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910
- Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission and parking are free.
- Website: National Museum of Health and Medicine
