Collection Spotlight🔦 Radium Water Crock This water crock from the 1920s was lined with radium. The crock was promoted to benefit your health. However, the effects of heavy metals and radium quickly pulled these from the stores. #histmed #radium #museumofhealthcare

It's #HistoricPlacesDays 2026! This item is a set of artificial ear drums from the 1950s. To help repair a perforated ear drum or a damaged tympanic membrane, doctors often used rubber “prosthetics" inside the ear. These acted as the patient’s ear drum, and were quite effective! #Histmed

It's #HistoricPlacesDays 2026! For this year's theme, we're sharing eyeglasses with hearing aids attached to the sidepieces from the collection. #HPD2026 #NationalTrustCanada #Histmed

The latest blog post from Fiona L. Kenney explores how children’s toys introduced young audiences to healthcare and communicated ideas about gender, authority, and expertise.⁠ ⁠ The fellowship was sponsored by Ian M. Fraser and Janine M. Schweitzer.⁠ Read more: www.museumofhealthcare.ca/blog

Collections Spotlight🔦 Apothecary Pill Rolling Machine (1860-75) This machine cut solid rolls into a set number of pills. The pills were then spun in a bowl or a pill silverer until the edges were rounded. #pharmacy #histmed #pharmacyhistory

The Museum is included in the Atlas of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical History by the American Institute of the History of Pharmacy📍🗺️ Explore the atlas here: www.aihp.org/atlas/ #AIHP #HistoryofPharmacy #Pharmaceuticals

It's all in the details✨️ The Canadian Museum of Health Care is full of hidden gems, unexpected discoveries, and touches that bring history to life! Here are some of our favourites. Summer Hours: Open everyday 10am-4pm Location: 32 George Street Kingston, ON

Collections Spotlight 🔦 This is an early 1900s hand-operated respiration machine patented as the Lungmotor. Pushing the handle down forced air into the victim's lungs and raising the handle suctioned the air out again. View our collection here: mhc.andornot.net/en #histmed #firstaid

We are grateful to be part of "From Brain Scans to Baby Food: Lessons from a Life in Science and Business" talk featuring Dr. Teresa Purzner! ⁠ ⁠ We enjoyed speaking with guests about Canadian inventions such as Publum and a range of reflex hammers from the 1800s to now!⁠ ⁠ #histmed

Margaret Angus Research Fellow Fiona L. Kenney explores how children's media was part of an effort to reshape the experiences of hospitals in the twentieth century. Read more here: tinyurl.com/ynpwajb3 The 2026 Fellowship was generously sponsored by Ian M. Fraser and Janine M. Schweitzer. #histmed

What if Olivia Rodrigo filmed "The Cure" music video at the Canadian Museum of Health Care? #histmed #thecure #OliviaRodrigo #CanadianMuseumofHealthCare

This summer, the Canadian Museum of Health Care invites young explorers aged 5–12 to roll up their sleeves and dive into the science and history of the human body at Health Adventures Camp. Learn more: www.museumofhealthcare.ca/events #VisitKingston #KingstonMuseum

Happy Pride Month! 🌈⁠ In this blog, Matt Edwards explores how medical museums can support LGBTQIA+ communities by sharing stories of how 2SLGBTQIA+ communities have resisted, contributed to, and reshaped health care. 🏛️ Read Matt's blog here: www.museumofhealthcare.ca/blog/what-ro...

Collections Spotlight🔦 Dr. Thomas' Eclectic Oil is a cure-all patent medicine created in the 1860s.“Eclectric” was likely an attempt to take advantage of the fascination with electricity around the time of invention, although it had nothing to do with electricity. Explore more: mhc.andornot.net/en

The Canadian Museum of Health Care is seeking two Board Directors to join our volunteer board. We are looking for leaders with experience in business management or fundraising. Please send a current résumé and a short statement of intent outlining your interest to [email protected]. #histmed

Collections Spotlight🔦 This medicine chest was brought to Canada from Scotland in the 1830s. Medicine chests were brought by doctors to different house visits so they could prepare medicine at the patient's bedside. Explore more of our rich collection here: mhc.andornot.net/en #histmed

Happy #NursingWeek! The Museum is housed in a 1904 nursing residence for the Kingston General Hospital School of Nursing. The first graduated received a certificate of completion, $25, and a nursing medal. By its closure in 1974, the school had trained over 3,000 nurses. #nursinghistory #histmed

Sunday marks Mother's Day in Canada! Here is a Mother's Day card from our collection from the 1930s held together with a large metal safety diaper pin.🍼 #histmed #mothersday #1930s #carddesign

Test your medical history knowledge at GirlsInMed's upcoming ONLINE TRIVIA EVENT featuring artifacts and insights from the Canadian Museum of Health Care, home of Canada’s largest medical collection (free to join and open to all individuals)! 🙋‍♀️ Register here: www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticket...

Congrats to all of the recipients of the 2026 KAM Awards of Excellence. Pictured are Liana Shaw, the CMHC’s director, Dr. Simge Erdogan-O'Connor, recipient of the Paul O. Robertson Award for Leadership & Innovation, and Megan Wedderspoon.⁠ ⁠ Congratulations again on these very deserving awards!🏅🎊⁠

This commemorative silver skeleton ashtray celebrates the 1932 Queen's University Medical School Dance. It is marked "Medical at Home" and is a slightly eerie piece of medical history. #museumofhealthcare #histmed #medicalhistory #coolcollections #QueensUniversity

Welcome to the 2026 MARF, Fiona L. Kenney. Fiona L. Kenney is a PhD candidate at the McGill University School of Architecture interested in the intersections between architecture, care, and ethics. The 2026 Fellowship was generously sponsored by Ian M. Fraser and Janine M. Schweitzer. #MARF2026

The Canadian Museum of Health Care is excited to return to Science Rendezvous Kingston!🩻 ⁠ It is happening on Saturday, May 9, from 10 to 3 at the Slush Puppie Place featuring 60 booths, chemistry experiments, and more!⁠ ⁠ Learn more: www.queensu.ca/science-rend...

Collection Spotlight🔦Branston Violet Ray Generator This device claimed to be an "absolutely harmless" cure all for poor eyesight, paralysis, tooth aches, and prostatic troubles, etc. Models ranged from $25-$100 ($346-$1,456 today) View more from our collection: mhc.andornot.net/en #histmed

"What does it mean to be intelligent? Is it a fixed trait or a skill improved with adequate resources?" Answer this question in the research blog, as Ella traces the parallel histories of eugenics and intelligence testing in Canada. Read more: www.museumofhealthcare.ca/blog/objecti...

Collection Spotlight🔦 This poison bottle has several clues to warn people of danger. The raised lettering reads, "Poison / Do not take/ Use with caution." Raised X marks signal danger and back is flat which resembles the shape of a coffin. Search our collection here: mhc.andornot.net/en #histmed

Jane’s Walk Kingston is back for 2026! 🚶‍♀️⁠ ⁠ We’re excited to be part of it! We are hosting: The Pulse of the Past: A Walk Through Kingston’s Medical History⁠ 🗓 Sunday, May 3⁠ ⏰ 1:00 PM⁠ 📍 Meet at 32 George Street⁠ Check out the full schedule: janeswalkkingston.wordpress.com#fri10am1 #JanesWalk

Such an interesting digital exhibit: "The Origins of Oncology in Canada: Montréal’s Institut du Radium" by the Atelier d'histoire Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. View it here: www.communitystories.ca/v2/origines-... #Histmed #oncology #digitalmuseumscanada

We are delighted to offer the following free online talk. Advocating for the importance of disabled, neurodivergent, and chronically ill lived experience within Canada’s medical archival collections Tuesday, April 21, 2026 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Please register here: www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticket...

We are accepting proposals for a resident 16-week summer research fellowship, which will investigate a topic relevant to the history of health and health care. ⁠ ⁠⁠ Find the full application details here:https://www.museumofhealthcare.ca/fellowship #histmed #fellowship

For Pharmacy Appreciation Month, we'd like to share a 1930s postcard of the Montreal Pharmacy which was advertised as the largest drug store in the world! See more of our pharmacy collection here: mhc.andornot.net/en/list?q=ph... #Histmed #Pharmacy #PAM

Collections spotlight🔦 Did you know that x-rays at the shoe store were common in the 1940s? This is a pedoscope and a salesperson could look into it to make sure the new pair of shoes were a perfect fit! There was a limit of three times a day and no more than 12 times per year. #Histmed #xray

We are delighted to offer the following free online talk. Advocating for the importance of disabled, neurodivergent, and chronically ill lived experience within Canada’s medical archival collections Tuesday, April 21, 2026 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Please register here: www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticket...

Thank you to everyone who attended the 2026 Teaching and Learning with Cultural Heritage Symposium last week.📖🏥⁠ ⁠ Keep an eye out for details on the 2027 Symposium #Histmed #MedicalHumanities

The Canadian Museum of Health Care is accepting proposals for a resident 16-week summer research fellowship (May – September), which will investigate a topic relevant to the history of health and health care. Click the link below for more details: www.museumofhealthcare.ca/opportunities

Collections Spotlight🔦 Much of the advertisements in our collection promote "cure-all" patent medicines. For a change of pace, we're highlighting this poster that hung in a drug store that warns people against patent medicines that are "almost all frauds and humbugs." #histmed

For International Women's Day, we have a new research blog post covering the history of gender exclusion in medical trials, the "male model" of health, and the role of women as health care advocates and professionals. Learn more: www.museumofhealthcare.ca/blog/consequ... #Histmed

As part of March of the Museums, we are delighted to welcome Professor Daryn Lehoux, for a fascinating presentation on ancient understandings of the natural world. Don’t miss the chance to explore how myth and medicine met in the history of health care during March Break! #Histmed

Collections Spotlight🔦 This 1990s promotional button advocates against provincial cuts to health care. Learn more: mhc.andornot.net/en/permalink... #Histmed

On March 12, 2026, we will host the second annual Teaching and Learning with Cultural Heritage health humanities symposium, this year themed around The Things of Health and Care. Attendance is free, and participants are welcome to drop in and out all day. Refreshments will be served. #histmed

This March Break, come explore our new temporary exhibit, A Fantastical Medical Bestiary. Drop in from Monday, March 16th to Friday, March 20th, 10 am – 4 pm. On Monday, March 16, at 1 pm, we are delighted to welcome Prof. Lehoux for a presentation on ancient understandings of the natural world.

Collections Spotlight🔦 Measles Vaccine Kit Before a vaccine was available in 1963, measles caused an estimated 2.6 million deaths worldwide each year. This live attenuated vaccine kit was produced in 1968 by Parke-Davis. Learn more: mhc.andornot.net/en/permalink... #Histmed #Measles

And that’s a wrap on our medical horror film series! 🎬️⁠ ⁠ Thank you to everyone who attended. Thank you also to our partners, Dr. Dan Vena, Andy O’Neil, and our friends at the Cinema Society of Kingston. ⁠ Keep an eye out; maybe we’ll be back at the Screening Room someday.🍿 #histmed

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Black History Month in Canada! ⁠This week, we are highlighting the pioneering work of Dr. Dominique Gaspard.⁠ ⁠ Click to learn about Dominique Gaspard and his accomplishments in Montreal's Black communities: www.museumofhealthcare.ca/blog/dr-domi... #BHM2026

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Black History Month in Canada! ⁠ The Museum will be continuing our series by discussing the work of the Black Cross Nurses.⁠ ⁠ Read all about their historic efforts here: www.museumofhealthcare.ca/blog/black-c... #BHM #BlackCross #Histmed

At the Canadian Museum of Health Care, history is not static. It’s a tool for understanding, dialogue, and growth.⁠ ⁠ By preserving and interpreting the past, we help inform how care is imagined, delivered, and experienced today and into the future.🩺❤️‍🩹 #Histmed #HealthCareCanada

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Black History Month in Canada! The Museum will be highlighting the Black individuals’ and organizations’ contributions to healthcare, starting with Dr. James Still. Read our blog here: www.museumofhealthcare.ca/blog/dr-jame... #Histmed #BHM2026

Bib and Tucker, by @dabble58.bsky.social, is a 99 cent #eBook during February. Paperback is in stock at @museumofhealthcare.bsky.social, and independent bookstores in Kingston and Halifax. somewhatgrumpypress.com/bib-tucker/ #booksky

Rooted in the Kingston Health Sciences Centre campus, the Canadian Museum of Health Care shares health care stories across centuries. From our home in the Ann Baillie Building, a 1904 nursing residence, we connect Kingston’s rich health care history to broader conversations across Canada.🩺❤️‍🩹

Thanks to 101.9 CFRC for featuring our collaboration with the Cinema Society of Kingston! Listen below👇 www.frequencynews.ca/news/canadia...