As the rings of a tree tell their story of the growth, development, and important events influencing it, the memorabilia in the museum vividly depict the history of nursing from Florence Nightingale to the space age. The exhibits immediately immerse you in the authentic atmosphere of nursing in days gone by. The museum challenges your imagination as you read a letter from Florence Nightingale to Alice Fischer, Foundress of the Philadelphia General School of Nursing, “Old Blockley, ” dated Christmas 1877. Student ledgers from the turn of the century provide a nostalgic contrast with today’s “nurses notes.”

Visible Effort of Tireless Service

Beginning as a Bicentennial project in 1974, the History of Nursing Museum was created entirely by the donations of memorabilia from nurses and friends of nursing. The museum flourished under the aegis of the Southeastern Pennsylvania League for Nursing until 1985 when becoming independently incorporated.

Since its founding in 1974, nurses from all over the country have contributed diaries, letters, books, caps, equipment, and many historical items to allow future generations to trace the flow of nursing history.