THE LANCASTER MEDICAL HERITAGE

NOW

BY KIM JOVINELLI

As its title implies, the Lancaster Medical Heritage Museum (LMHM) was founded as the Edward Hand Medical Heritage Foundation in 1982 by the Lancaster City & County Medical Society. Edward Hand was a prolific figure in Lancaster. Born in Ireland, he was a physician, soldier, and politician who served under George Washington during the Revolutionary War.

For the last 40 years, the museum has grown to include almost 14,000 medical and medical history related objects. However, until recently, these objects were held in the Burle Business Park on New Holland Avenue behind a security gate with little to no signage. The museum was a “hidden gem in Lancaster” as Board Member Dr. Nikitas Zervanos would say.

In 2019, the museum began the process of reevaluating its image. This included looking for a new space that was more accessible to the public and changing the name to the Lancaster Medical Heritage Museum. In 2021, the museum officially moved into its new location, graciously provided through Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health through the efforts of many board members and employees of the health system, and museum employees. Since then, the LMHM has created several new exhibits it never had the opportunity to showcase. This includes one of the largest ophthalmology exhibits in Pennsylvania, an exhibit on dentistry and its specialties, a 19th century pharmacy cabinet, an art wing, a nursing exhibit, and a rotating exhibit space currently featuring an exhibit called Pandemics and Prevention. On top of this, the museum houses a hands-on exhibit to showcase the skills any doctor would have to use to diagnose a patient and a wall decorated with student artwork created in collaboration with the Elizabethtown College biology and anatomy department.

Through the work of volunteers, board members, staff, and the health system, the museum was able to open its doors to the public in its new location at 410 North Lime Street, Lancaster, PA. Currently, the museum is open during its winter hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 10am to 3pm. Beginning April 28th, 2023, it will change over to its summer hours of Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 3pm. Admission is $8.00 per person. Children under three and LG Health employees (with their badge) can visit for free. Follow us on our social media or visit lancastermedicalheritagemuseum.org for all up-to-date information.

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