That’s an impossible question to answer for the most part, but here’s a factoid. Our scans of existing photographs and papers have made it up to 932 gigabytes. That’s for about 750,000 images, and we have 400,000 planned for this 2010 fiscal year.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
How fast is the Museum growing?
Letter of the Day: March 3 (2 of 2)
Brooklyn, Mar. 3. 68
My dear Doctor,
Your favor of the 29th Ult. Is just received and I feel greatly obliged to you for the advice you have tendered me in reference to Francis, of which I shall avail myself.
It is a pity that the examining surgeons of Brooklyn have been ill-chosen. None of them enjoys reputation or public confidence, and Burdick belongs to the eclectic school of quackery. I doubt very much whether one of them is capable to realize the actual condition of the patient. However I will assist in the matter and see that justice is meted out in the premises.
The specimen you refer to is at your disposal and will be sent with the others, if you deem it worth your while to add it to the museum. I am however, unable to furnish you with the items of the case to which I paid no attention when at Fortress Monroe. Dr. Bontecou of Troy N.Y. may be able to furnish you with the desired information, for he was the medical director of the Hygeia Hospital at the time. The specimen intended for you I shall send at my swiftest leisure.
Very sincerely yours
Louis Bauer
Geo A. Otis, M.D.
Lieut. Col. & Asst. Surg. U.S.A.
PS In what way will I send it so as to incur no expenses.
LB
Women's History Month program at the Medical Museum
Women’s History Month program at the Medical Museum -- "A Lady Alone" Elizabeth Blackwell: First American Woman Doctor
Date: Saturday, March 27, 2010
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 10 & up
Celebrate Women's History Month at the National Museum of Health and Medicine with a one-act play about Elizabeth Blackwell, the first American woman doctor. Written by Harvard playwright N. Lynn Eckhert, M.D., this one-actress play, performed by Linda Gray Kelley, tells the story of Blackwell, who in addition to being the first woman to receive her medical degree in the United States, founded her own infirmary in New York (when other hospitals would not accept her as a doctor) and trained nurses during the Civil War. During the play, Kelley acts as Blackwell's fellow classmates and colleagues in addition to the doctor herself. “A Lady Alone” is a production of Theatre Rising Unlimited www.theatrerising.com.
Cost: Free!
Where:
The National Museum of Health and Medicine
6900 Georgia Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20307
NMHM is located in Building 54 on the campus of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Visitor parking is available in the driveway in front of the museum. Additional free parking is available throughout the campus on weekends. No registration is required, but seating is limited.
SPECIAL NOTE: Adults are required to present photo ID to gain entry to Walter Reed.
For more information, visit www.nmhm.washingtondc.museum. For specific information about directions and parking, visit www.nmhm.washingtondc.museum/about/directions.html.
NMHM on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MedicalMuseum
NMHM on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MedicalMuseum
Letter of the Day: March 3 (1 of 2)
Camp Verde, A.T. [Arizona Territory]
March 3rd 1871
Asst. Surgeon G.A. Otis, U.S.A.
Curator, Army Medical Museum
Washington D.C.
Sir:
In answer to your letter of January 30th requesting specimen in the case of Pvt. Kinnear, I regret to state that the specimen cannot be procured; it was buried with the intention of being forwarded to the Army Med. Museum if desired, but the coyotes unearthed it, and no trace of it can be discovered.
Pvt. Kinnear was an unfavorable subject for operation, having received treatment for chronic dysentery for six months previous to the accident, he was also addicted to the use of alcoholic liquors.
The accident occurred about four miles from the Post, and he was not seen by the Doctor until four hours subsequent to the injury.
On examination, the knee joint was found to be seriously involved, the inner condyle fractured, and the soft parts badly lacerated, his condition was bad; the operation was delayed for some time to enable him to recover from the shock.
Amputation was performed, the lateral flap method, he did not completely rally from its effects, he died ninety-nine hours after, from the conjoined effects of shock hemorrhage and pyaemia.
Very Respectfully,
Your Obt Sert.
A.F. Steigers
Act. Asst. Surg. U.S.A.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Clinico Motion Pictures
A while back we uploaded the Clinico Motion Pictures catalog to the Internet Archive. Today, while free-range browsing through correspondence, trying to find a good letter of the day, I found a letter on their letterhead. There are some real beauties of letterheads in some of our files, but to stay on topic, here's a simple one from Clinico.
LaFonda's Degree
I remember when we hired LaFonda Burwell as an Inventory Technician to work on the scanning project we've had going for several years. I was part of the interview panel and I liked her right off. She struck me as just the kind of person we should hire before anyone else snatched her away; I'm so glad we did. I could always count on her to do her job and do it well, and that's no small thing. Always cheerful, always positive, and that's no small thing either.
LaFonda just brought in her diploma to show us. She showed the same spirit in working towards her degree as she always shows on the job, and now she's the proud owner of a Bachelors Degree in International Business.
Congratulations, LaFonda! We're so proud of you.
And, no, you can't have her.
LaFonda just brought in her diploma to show us. She showed the same spirit in working towards her degree as she always shows on the job, and now she's the proud owner of a Bachelors Degree in International Business.
Congratulations, LaFonda! We're so proud of you.
And, no, you can't have her.
Letter of the Day: March 2
We may very well have the type of oil wrong.
COPY
Baton Rouge Barracks, La.
March 2, 1878
Surgeon General U.S.A.
Washington, D.C.
Sir:
I have the honor to state that I have delivered to the A.A.Q.M. [Acting Assistant Quarter Master], at this Post for transportation to the Army Medical Museum, a small vial containing the head of a Tape Worm. Taenia solium? It was discharged by a child 2 ½ years of age on May 12, 1876.The child had been treated for the worm at different times, for more than a year previous to that time.
Treatment – Complete starvation for twenty-four hours – The administration at the end of that time of Zi oil of Male Fern – and the repetition of the same does with Z; castor oil 12 hours subsequently. The patient has been entirely free from any signs of Tape Worm from that time to the present. I trust the contribution though small, may be acceptable.
Very Respectfully
Your obedient servant
(Signed) M. E. Taylor
Assistant Surgeon U.S.A.
Post Surgeon
A true copy
George A. Otis
Asst Surg. USA
Monday, March 1, 2010
Morality and exhibits?
A few recent articles have raised questions about the morality of some museum exhibits. Obviously, Germany and Nazism is a special cultural case, but I'm glad that they appear to not be just closing off that aspect of their military history.
The first article specifically raises some items that you naturally find in a medical museum. On the other side, I don't actually believe that the National Museum of Crime and Punishment is actually a museum - I think it's closer to an attraction, or a tiny theme park. Beyond that, I don't think the exhibit of a serial killers car tells you anything about the killer. On the other hand, if it is still in existence and people want to pay to see it - well, I, personally, am ok with that too.
Why some art should be censored
Shreveport Times (February 28, 2010)
Another sort of case concerns the use of human corpses in art. There is a venerable tradition of showing the dead for various reasons, as in Rembrandt's famous The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Tulp or Goya's depictions of the horrors of war — not to mention numerous crucifixions. News coverage sometimes courts the grisly by its depictions of the deceased. A case where I supported censorship involved Cincinnati artist Thomas Condon who was prosecuted for photographs he took of corpses in 2001. He gained access to the corpses illegally and staged images without the knowledge or permission of their families.
George Packer, Letter from Dresden, “Embers: Will Dresden Finally Confront Its Past?” The New Yorker, February 1, 2010, p. 33
Ted Bundy's VW goes on display at D.C. crime museum, but should it?
By Philip Kennicott
Friday, February 19, 2010
The first article specifically raises some items that you naturally find in a medical museum. On the other side, I don't actually believe that the National Museum of Crime and Punishment is actually a museum - I think it's closer to an attraction, or a tiny theme park. Beyond that, I don't think the exhibit of a serial killers car tells you anything about the killer. On the other hand, if it is still in existence and people want to pay to see it - well, I, personally, am ok with that too.
Why some art should be censored
Shreveport Times (February 28, 2010)
Another sort of case concerns the use of human corpses in art. There is a venerable tradition of showing the dead for various reasons, as in Rembrandt's famous The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Tulp or Goya's depictions of the horrors of war — not to mention numerous crucifixions. News coverage sometimes courts the grisly by its depictions of the deceased. A case where I supported censorship involved Cincinnati artist Thomas Condon who was prosecuted for photographs he took of corpses in 2001. He gained access to the corpses illegally and staged images without the knowledge or permission of their families.
George Packer, Letter from Dresden, “Embers: Will Dresden Finally Confront Its Past?” The New Yorker, February 1, 2010, p. 33
Ted Bundy's VW goes on display at D.C. crime museum, but should it?
By Philip Kennicott
Friday, February 19, 2010
Letter of the Day: March 1 (2 of 2)
The 'heart of Jumbo' is from P.T. Barnum's famous elephant, of course.
Ward's Natural Science Establishment
Nos. 16-26 College Avenue (opposite University),
Rochester, N.Y., March 1 1886
Dr. John S. Billings,
Army Medical Museum.
Dear Sir,
I have lately received directly from Australia a fine Foetus of Dugong (Holicore australis) in alcohol. It is about 3 ½ feet long, and is in excellent condition. Price is $75.
Heart, & Penis, & Eyes of adult Dugong in alcohol, $18.
I still have Heart of Jumbo in alcohol $30
Or, the whole lot for $118.
Shall I send by Express or Freight?!
Very truly yours,
Henry A. Ward.
No hurry about payment.
Photos of the day, March 1
It’s turned out to be much easier to find a letter of the day (see our blog at bottledmonsters.blogspot.com if you’re viewing this on Flickr) than a photo with a date attached, but today we were successful. Here are two photos of the same patient who suffered a gunshot wound of the shoulder during the Korean War. They’re labeled 53-8668-5 and 53-8668-6, from the Korean War Ballistics photo collection.
Letter of the Day: March 1 (1 of 2)
The citations listed here may very well be spelled wrong as the letter was hard to read.
Mar 1 / 86
1362 N Gilman [Baltimore, MD]
Dr. Jno S. Billings U.S.A.
My dear Doctor,
Dr. Alex H. Bayly of Cambridge, MD, used the artificial magnet successfully in removing spicula of iron from the cornea, in 1846.
I claim that this is the first use – not only in Maryland, but in the U.S.
I am looking up the literature of the subject to trace the earliest use of the magnet in Eye Surgery.
If you have the works below in your library, will you be good enough to give me the passages cited that have a bearing on this point, and the date of editions you quote from –
Matthiohrs Commentaria in Discodene Let 5 @ 105
Kirchringius Spicilegia Anat – Observ. 44
Fabicius Hildassus Guliet. Cent -5. Observ. 21 “Descoria chalybis cornea infixa ejusdemque inginiossissima curatone”
With much resp.
Yours truly
Jno. R. Quinan
Note reads “References & quotations sent March 6th 1886.”
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Letter of the Day, February 28. Reply to "What can the blind see in their dreams"?
From the personal papers of Royal de Rohan Barondes (b.12/10/1896), of California. A veteran of the US Army Medical Department for both world wars, Barondes researched both surgical instruments and pharmaceuticals in his private practice. His initial query has been previously posted as the February 24th Letter of the Day.
State of California
Department of Education
California School for the Blind
3001 Derby Street
Berkeley, California
February 28, 1938
Dr. R. de R. Barondes
291 Geary Street
San Francisco, California
Dear Dr. Barondes:
In answer to your letter of February 24 I will say first that there is some literature on the imagery of those born totally blind. I do not have it in hand just at present but could secure it for you if you so desire.
Helen Keller has a most interesting book called “The World I Live In.” In it she discusses the senses and touches somewhat on her dream world. It must be remembered, of course, that Helen lost her sight when she was about eighteen months old and, therefore, must have residuary sense impressions on which to draw. This would be largely true of many persons totally blind even where sight was lost very early.
The case of a person born totally blind is very rare. We have, however, at the present time one such authentic case, that of a young woman who is a graduate student in our music department. You might like to question her and I am very sure that she would consent to being questioned.
If your time permits you are perfectly welcome to visit the School and I shall be happy to make arrangements for the carrying out of any investigation you might like to make.
Very truly yours,
R.S. French
Superintendent
RSF/mm
State of California
Department of Education
California School for the Blind
3001 Derby Street
Berkeley, California
February 28, 1938
Dr. R. de R. Barondes
291 Geary Street
San Francisco, California
Dear Dr. Barondes:
In answer to your letter of February 24 I will say first that there is some literature on the imagery of those born totally blind. I do not have it in hand just at present but could secure it for you if you so desire.
Helen Keller has a most interesting book called “The World I Live In.” In it she discusses the senses and touches somewhat on her dream world. It must be remembered, of course, that Helen lost her sight when she was about eighteen months old and, therefore, must have residuary sense impressions on which to draw. This would be largely true of many persons totally blind even where sight was lost very early.
The case of a person born totally blind is very rare. We have, however, at the present time one such authentic case, that of a young woman who is a graduate student in our music department. You might like to question her and I am very sure that she would consent to being questioned.
If your time permits you are perfectly welcome to visit the School and I shall be happy to make arrangements for the carrying out of any investigation you might like to make.
Very truly yours,
R.S. French
Superintendent
RSF/mm
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Letter of the day, February 27
War Department,
Surgeon General's Office,
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library
Corner 7th and B Streets SW
Washington February 27, 1902
Dr. H.R. Storer,
230 Central Park South
New York, N.Y.
Dear Sir:
Your note of the 17th inst. has been received. We have had no accession to our collection since November last.
The plaster medaillon [sic] of Dr. A.P. Southwick in our collection, has on the back: "By T.S. Hitchcock, M.D.S. Sculptor, Oswego, New York, 1898". Your remark in reference to Alfred Porter, S. of Buffalo, N.Y., has been noted.
The only reference to the Hope medal in our Library is found in: An account of the Life, Writings and Character of the late Dr. John Pope, &c. by Andrew Duncan, M.D.F.R.S.&A.S. Ed., Edinburgh, 1789, p.20, as follows: "By bestowing entirely at his own expense, an annual gold medal, as a testimony of superior merit, he gave a spur to exertion, from which the toils of study were alleviated by love of fame".
In the Congressional Library are the "Memoirs and Correspondence of Sir James Edward Smith, by Lady Smith, London, 1832. and on page 63 of the 1st volume, Sir James writes to his father under date Edinburgh, December 31, 1782: ["]I am to have Dr. Hope's medal, but 'tis not yet come from London".
No description of the medal is given in either reference.
Very truly,
Calvin DeWitt
Col. & Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum & Library Division
Surgeon General's Office,
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library
Corner 7th and B Streets SW
Washington February 27, 1902
Dr. H.R. Storer,
230 Central Park South
New York, N.Y.
Dear Sir:
Your note of the 17th inst. has been received. We have had no accession to our collection since November last.
The plaster medaillon [sic] of Dr. A.P. Southwick in our collection, has on the back: "By T.S. Hitchcock, M.D.S. Sculptor, Oswego, New York, 1898". Your remark in reference to Alfred Porter, S. of Buffalo, N.Y., has been noted.
The only reference to the Hope medal in our Library is found in: An account of the Life, Writings and Character of the late Dr. John Pope, &c. by Andrew Duncan, M.D.F.R.S.&A.S. Ed., Edinburgh, 1789, p.20, as follows: "By bestowing entirely at his own expense, an annual gold medal, as a testimony of superior merit, he gave a spur to exertion, from which the toils of study were alleviated by love of fame".
In the Congressional Library are the "Memoirs and Correspondence of Sir James Edward Smith, by Lady Smith, London, 1832. and on page 63 of the 1st volume, Sir James writes to his father under date Edinburgh, December 31, 1782: ["]I am to have Dr. Hope's medal, but 'tis not yet come from London".
No description of the medal is given in either reference.
Very truly,
Calvin DeWitt
Col. & Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum & Library Division
Obituary for children's health advocate
Today's Post has the obituary of Dr. Frederick C. Green, who sounded the alarm about lead paint. The National Zoo cleaned its monkey cages several years before the District of Columbia would commit to removing the paint from schools and public housing. He was in the US Army Medical Corps in World War 2 and Korea.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Obituary for man who accidentally ended testing drugs on prisoners
Interesting article for its bioethics information.
Dr. Albert M. Kligman, Dermatologist, Dies at 93
By DENISE GELLENE
New York Times February 22, 2010
Dr. Kligman was hailed for inventing the widely used acne medication Retin-A, but was criticized for tests that used inmates.
Dr. Albert M. Kligman, Dermatologist, Dies at 93
By DENISE GELLENE
New York Times February 22, 2010
Dr. Kligman was hailed for inventing the widely used acne medication Retin-A, but was criticized for tests that used inmates.
Washington Humane Society
This article details a law proposed in 1896 to regulate vivisection in D.C. started by the Washington Humane Society. I haven't been able to see if the law passed, but it looks like not.
I sent this and few other articles to a friend at the Washington Humane Society and they will be used as a reference in making an official history of the organization.
Woodcuts on the Internet Archive
I uploaded several curatorial logbooks to the Internet Archive this morning, among them one of woodcuts of surgical specimens used in Medical Museum publications. It's like a scrapbook, with the individual cuts clipped from larger sheets and pasted into this book. I think it's one of the more interesting logbooks in the collection.
Letter of the day, February 26
This letter relates to the design of the new building for the Museum & Library at 7th St and Independence Ave, SW. The building was designed by Washington architect Adolph Cluss, and demolished in 1968 for the Hirschhorn Museum.
February 26, 1887
Gentlemen:
Will you have the kindness to return to me the drawings for the iron work of the bookstack for the new Army Medical Museum and Library building if you have no further use for them. I enclose an addressed frank.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant
(Signed) John S. Billings
Surgeon U.S. Army
Copies of this letter were sent to:
Builder's Iron Foundry
Providence, R.I.
Manly & Cooper Manuf. Co.
Philadelphia, Pa.
Bartlett, Hayward & Co.,
Baltimore, Md.
February 26, 1887
Gentlemen:
Will you have the kindness to return to me the drawings for the iron work of the bookstack for the new Army Medical Museum and Library building if you have no further use for them. I enclose an addressed frank.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant
(Signed) John S. Billings
Surgeon U.S. Army
Copies of this letter were sent to:
Builder's Iron Foundry
Providence, R.I.
Manly & Cooper Manuf. Co.
Philadelphia, Pa.
Bartlett, Hayward & Co.,
Baltimore, Md.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Letter of the day, February 25
The “present mechanical perfection” mentioned in the letter is, of course, still evolving. Wouldn't he be delighted with what's available today?
War Department,
Surgeon General’s Office,
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library,
Corner 7th and B Streets S.W.,
Washington, February 25, 1899
Sir:
I am anxious to secure for the Museum examples of artificial limbs-upper and lower extremity- which collectively will show the progress of this art, from its rude beginnings to its present mechanical perfection. It is desired especially to make this illustration historically complete, so that your assistance is requested, not only as to existing finished apparatus of your own device and manufacture, but as to the existence and supply of older devices which would naturally form part of an illustrative collection. Where information is contained in catalogues those will be sufficient; but reference is solicited to sources from which the older specimens may be obtained, with a brief description of the apparatus- and prices.
Very respectfully,
Dallas Bache
Col. & Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum & Library Division
War Department,
Surgeon General’s Office,
U.S. Army Medical Museum and Library,
Corner 7th and B Streets S.W.,
Washington, February 25, 1899
Sir:
I am anxious to secure for the Museum examples of artificial limbs-upper and lower extremity- which collectively will show the progress of this art, from its rude beginnings to its present mechanical perfection. It is desired especially to make this illustration historically complete, so that your assistance is requested, not only as to existing finished apparatus of your own device and manufacture, but as to the existence and supply of older devices which would naturally form part of an illustrative collection. Where information is contained in catalogues those will be sufficient; but reference is solicited to sources from which the older specimens may be obtained, with a brief description of the apparatus- and prices.
Very respectfully,
Dallas Bache
Col. & Asst. Surgeon General, U.S.A.
In charge of Museum & Library Division
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
POSITION: INTERIM MUSEUM DIRECTOR / CONSULTANT at Mass General
As a public service announcement...
POSITION: INTERIM MUSEUM DIRECTOR / CONSULTANT
Projected start date: March 1, 2010
Apply here: http://www.mgh.harvard.edu/careers/viewall.aspx
Massachusetts General Hospital intends to build and establish a new
museum on its main campus in downtown Boston. The Mass General Museum is
to be located in a prominent location on Cambridge Street, a highly
visible and public edge of the main campus facing Beacon Hill to the
south.
By means of exciting and enriching exhibits and educational programs,
the intent of the Museum is to serve the hospital of which it is a part,
the medical profession and researchers, and a wider audience that
includes patients, visitors and the general public. The museum will also
be a "venue of distinction" for receptions, functions, and dinners.
Included is the Mass General archives, which is the repository of
documents and records closely associated with the history of the Mass
General. Safe and secure access to the full archives and providing
reading room accommodation for researchers on site is an important
function of the history program.
The position of Interim Museum Director/Consultant is of 9 to 12 months'
duration during which time architectural planning and exhibition design
will be in progress. In addition, policy and procedure development,
financial planning, fundraising, and personnel preparation (paid staff
and volunteers) for the museum and archives will proceed. It is the
intention of the Hospital to succeed this temporary appointment with a
full-time position, contingent upon sufficient funding.
GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT
The museum director will be responsible for the development and
implementation of policies and procedures of the Mass General museum.
The director will work closely with the Mass General History Committee
and other subcommittees to ensure effective communication and is the
lead spokesperson and advocate for the museum within the internal and
external community. With senior management, the museum director assumes
financial and operational authority for the museum within budgetary
guidelines. The director oversees curatorial activities, art and
artifact collection, archives, database, website, and all educational
programming activities. The director supervises all museum staff and
volunteers.
During the course of design and construction, the museum director will
work closely with senior management, the project manager, architects and
engineers, exhibition design consultants, volunteers, the Mass General
History Committee, and other parties engaged in the development of the
museum.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP
* Works with the Mass General History Committee and senior leadership to
develop and adhere to the mission, goals, and objectives of the museum.
Directs and leads the implementation and articulation of these goals in
a collaborative and cooperative manner.
* Understands the unique nature of the museum within the context of the
hospital community (patients, families, staff, clinical providers, and
donors).
* Provides vision and dynamic personal leadership to internal museum
staff and external community regarding museum strategy, programming
initiatives, and mission. Serves as the key spokesperson for the museum.
* Develops policies and procedures that govern all areas of museum
operations including collection management, curatorial operations,
storage, exhibition design and evaluation, accessibility, education and
programming, registration and database, archives, research,
conservation, website, and communications. Adheres to and keeps current
with all privacy policies instituted within the hospital setting.
* Develops annual operating and capital budgets for the museum.
Monitors operating budget versus actual expenses and identifies
variances.
* Supervises professional staff, non-professional administrative staff,
and volunteers. Performs annual performance appraisals.
* Recommends capital budget proposals regarding equipment, space, and
renovations.
* Manages the recruitment, interviewing, hiring and training of museum
staff. Initiates corrective action as necessary according to Mass
General policies and procedures.
* Insures compliance with the legal requirements that govern museums and
non-profit institutions.
* Works collaboratively with Public Affairs and Marketing to develop
appropriate communication and marketing materials.
* Works collaboratively with Mass General Development Office to assist
in the creation of philanthropic case statements, prospect contact,
cultivation, and stewardship of existing donors.
* Develops strong volunteer engagement, retention and recruitment
programs in coordination with the Ladies Visiting Committee and the Mass
General Volunteer Department.
* Develops docent training program for staff and volunteers.
* Facilitates and encourages continuing education for museum staff and
self.
* Maintains a clean, safe, and inviting physical environment within the
museum and archives. Maintains proper conditions within museum and
storage areas for collection and archives.
* Develops disaster plan in accordance with Mass General policies and
communicates plan to staff. Recognizes special requirements of Mass
General collection and archives.
EDUCATION COLLABORATION
* Works with internal museum staff, key hospital staff and committees,
as well as external stakeholders to develop content for unique
educational programs within the museum.
* Develops inspirational educational programming, seeking direction from
the museum's mission statement and Mass General community.
* Evaluates the effectiveness of exhibitions and educational programs
and makes improvements as necessary.
* Develops and implements educational programs adjunct to onsite
exhibits. May include workshops, special lectures and visiting experts.
GRANTS
* Submits funding proposals to appropriate agencies for special
projects.
* Monitors awarded grants for compliance, balanced budget, and funder
communication.
* Works with Mass General Research Management office to comply with
internal and external grant requirements.
QUALIFICATIONS
* Master's Degree required. Doctoral degree with strong research
background would be of interest.
* Museum experience required.
* Supervisory and management experience required.
* Strong communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability
to show flexibility within an increasingly diverse and complex
environment.
* Strong customer service and interpersonal skills.
CONTACT
Hubert Murray FAIA RIBA
Senior Project Manager
MGH Planning and Construction
all correspondence to be addressed to:
Partners HealthCare Inc.
101 Merrimac Street, Suite 800
Boston, MA 02114-4719
T | 617.643.6414 F | 617.724.2740
Email: HMURRAY2@PARTNERS.ORG
POSITION: INTERIM MUSEUM DIRECTOR / CONSULTANT
Projected start date: March 1, 2010
Apply here: http://www.mgh.harvard.edu/careers/viewall.aspx
Massachusetts General Hospital intends to build and establish a new
museum on its main campus in downtown Boston. The Mass General Museum is
to be located in a prominent location on Cambridge Street, a highly
visible and public edge of the main campus facing Beacon Hill to the
south.
By means of exciting and enriching exhibits and educational programs,
the intent of the Museum is to serve the hospital of which it is a part,
the medical profession and researchers, and a wider audience that
includes patients, visitors and the general public. The museum will also
be a "venue of distinction" for receptions, functions, and dinners.
Included is the Mass General archives, which is the repository of
documents and records closely associated with the history of the Mass
General. Safe and secure access to the full archives and providing
reading room accommodation for researchers on site is an important
function of the history program.
The position of Interim Museum Director/Consultant is of 9 to 12 months'
duration during which time architectural planning and exhibition design
will be in progress. In addition, policy and procedure development,
financial planning, fundraising, and personnel preparation (paid staff
and volunteers) for the museum and archives will proceed. It is the
intention of the Hospital to succeed this temporary appointment with a
full-time position, contingent upon sufficient funding.
GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT
The museum director will be responsible for the development and
implementation of policies and procedures of the Mass General museum.
The director will work closely with the Mass General History Committee
and other subcommittees to ensure effective communication and is the
lead spokesperson and advocate for the museum within the internal and
external community. With senior management, the museum director assumes
financial and operational authority for the museum within budgetary
guidelines. The director oversees curatorial activities, art and
artifact collection, archives, database, website, and all educational
programming activities. The director supervises all museum staff and
volunteers.
During the course of design and construction, the museum director will
work closely with senior management, the project manager, architects and
engineers, exhibition design consultants, volunteers, the Mass General
History Committee, and other parties engaged in the development of the
museum.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP
* Works with the Mass General History Committee and senior leadership to
develop and adhere to the mission, goals, and objectives of the museum.
Directs and leads the implementation and articulation of these goals in
a collaborative and cooperative manner.
* Understands the unique nature of the museum within the context of the
hospital community (patients, families, staff, clinical providers, and
donors).
* Provides vision and dynamic personal leadership to internal museum
staff and external community regarding museum strategy, programming
initiatives, and mission. Serves as the key spokesperson for the museum.
* Develops policies and procedures that govern all areas of museum
operations including collection management, curatorial operations,
storage, exhibition design and evaluation, accessibility, education and
programming, registration and database, archives, research,
conservation, website, and communications. Adheres to and keeps current
with all privacy policies instituted within the hospital setting.
* Develops annual operating and capital budgets for the museum.
Monitors operating budget versus actual expenses and identifies
variances.
* Supervises professional staff, non-professional administrative staff,
and volunteers. Performs annual performance appraisals.
* Recommends capital budget proposals regarding equipment, space, and
renovations.
* Manages the recruitment, interviewing, hiring and training of museum
staff. Initiates corrective action as necessary according to Mass
General policies and procedures.
* Insures compliance with the legal requirements that govern museums and
non-profit institutions.
* Works collaboratively with Public Affairs and Marketing to develop
appropriate communication and marketing materials.
* Works collaboratively with Mass General Development Office to assist
in the creation of philanthropic case statements, prospect contact,
cultivation, and stewardship of existing donors.
* Develops strong volunteer engagement, retention and recruitment
programs in coordination with the Ladies Visiting Committee and the Mass
General Volunteer Department.
* Develops docent training program for staff and volunteers.
* Facilitates and encourages continuing education for museum staff and
self.
* Maintains a clean, safe, and inviting physical environment within the
museum and archives. Maintains proper conditions within museum and
storage areas for collection and archives.
* Develops disaster plan in accordance with Mass General policies and
communicates plan to staff. Recognizes special requirements of Mass
General collection and archives.
EDUCATION COLLABORATION
* Works with internal museum staff, key hospital staff and committees,
as well as external stakeholders to develop content for unique
educational programs within the museum.
* Develops inspirational educational programming, seeking direction from
the museum's mission statement and Mass General community.
* Evaluates the effectiveness of exhibitions and educational programs
and makes improvements as necessary.
* Develops and implements educational programs adjunct to onsite
exhibits. May include workshops, special lectures and visiting experts.
GRANTS
* Submits funding proposals to appropriate agencies for special
projects.
* Monitors awarded grants for compliance, balanced budget, and funder
communication.
* Works with Mass General Research Management office to comply with
internal and external grant requirements.
QUALIFICATIONS
* Master's Degree required. Doctoral degree with strong research
background would be of interest.
* Museum experience required.
* Supervisory and management experience required.
* Strong communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability
to show flexibility within an increasingly diverse and complex
environment.
* Strong customer service and interpersonal skills.
CONTACT
Hubert Murray FAIA RIBA
Senior Project Manager
MGH Planning and Construction
all correspondence to be addressed to:
Partners HealthCare Inc.
101 Merrimac Street, Suite 800
Boston, MA 02114-4719
T | 617.643.6414 F | 617.724.2740
Email: HMURRAY2@PARTNERS.ORG
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