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Records of the Philadelphia General Hospital Osler Memorial Committee and Blockley Historical Museum

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 6/005-06

Scope and Contents note

This collection contains a small number of documents from several accessions. These documents appear to be duplicative to other collections held by theHistorical Medical Library of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia regarding the Osler Memorial Committee and Blockley Historical Museum.

Researchers will find that the majority of this material relates to Osler, but there is also some information regarding the museum’s foundation and subsequent events such as the Association of Ex Residents and Resident Physicians, the Blockley Nine Reunion, and dedication of the Osler Memorial Building.

Dates

  • 1886 - 1950

Creator

Conditions Governing Access note

This collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use note

Copyright restrictions may apply. Please contact the Historical Medical Library of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia with requests for copying and for authorization to publish, quote or reproduce the material.

Biographical/Historical note

The Osler Memorial Committee was formed in October 1939. The committee was appointed by David Riesman, President of the Medical Board of the Philadelphia General Hospital. The original members of the committee were chairman Robert J. Hunter, William G. Turnbull, and William E. Hughes; Riesman was an ex officio member. Later in the year, Marion Hague Rea, Abraham Cohen, William N. Bradley, and Jefferson H. Clark were selected to serve on the Osler Memorial Committee.

The committee held its first official meeting on December 6, 1939. The objective of the committee was to create a museum and memorial to Sir William Osler in the old autopsy house of the Philadelphia General Hospital and to organize a ceremony marking the dedication of the building. The dedication ceremony was held on June 8, 1940; in association with the dedication, the committee commissioned artist Dean Cornwell to paint a portrait of Osler. Cornwell's painting, "Osler at Old Blockley," had its premiere showing at the dedication. The committee also organized a special dinner for ex residents of the Philadelphia General Hospital, which was held on December 3, 1940.

After the completion of its duties, the Osler Memorial Committee was discharged in December 1940. At this time, it was decided that a new committee, the Osler Memorial and Blockley Historical Museum Committee, would be appointed to oversee the daily administration of the museum.

Extent

0.5 Box

Language of Materials

English

Overview

The Osler Memorial Committee was formed in October 1939. The objective of the committee was to create a museum and memorial to Sir William Osler in the old autopsy house of the Philadelphia General Hospital and to organize a ceremony marking the dedication of the building. After the completion of its duties, the Osler Memorial Committee was discharged in December 1940. At this time, it was decided that a new committee, the Osler Memorial and Blockley Historical Museum Committee, would be appointed to oversee the daily administration of the museum. This collection contains a small number of documents from several accessions. These documents appear to be duplicative to other collections held by the Historical Medical Library of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia regarding the Osler Memorial Committee and Blockley Historical Museum.

Immediate Source of Acquisition note

Materials transferred from the Mutter Museum on December 4, 1989. All items on permanent loan to the College of Physicians from the City of Philadelphia.

Related Archival Materials note

College of Physicians of Philadelphia: There are several collection regarding the Philadelphia General Hospital. Researchers should search the Historical Medical Library archives site (https://cpparchives.org) for a complete list.

Processing Information note

The creation of the electronic guide for this collection was made possible through generous funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, administered through the Council on Library and Information Resources’ “Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives” Project.
Title
Philadelphia General Hospital Osler Memorial Committee and Blockley Historical Museum miscellaneous records
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English
Sponsor
The creation of the electronic guide for this collection was made possible through generous funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, administered through the Council on Library and Information Resources’ “Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives” Project.

Repository Details

Part of the Historical Medical Library of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia Repository

Contact:
19 S. 22nd Street
Philadelphia PA 19103 United States
215-399-2001