MHC newest partner in exciting Ancient DNA Centre project
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MHC newest partner in exciting Ancient DNA Centre project

Where did smallpox and its many less famous cousins come from?Molecular anthropologists Dr. Ana Duggan and Dr. Hendrik Poinar from the Ancient DNA Centre at McMaster University are working on answering this exact question. The Museum of Health Care is delighted to be McMaster University’s latest partner in this exciting new research project.

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What Do You Mean Museums Aren’t Forever? The Whats and Whys of Deaccessioning
Collections, Ex crypta: The Curator..., Museums Museum of Health Care Collections, Ex crypta: The Curator..., Museums Museum of Health Care

What Do You Mean Museums Aren’t Forever? The Whats and Whys of Deaccessioning

Deaccessioning is the formal removal of an item from a museum’s permanent collection. The important thing to know about deaccessioning is that it’s mostly about paperwork and about status. An item can be deaccessioned without moving from its spot on a shelf. Physical removal of the item is a different and related process, called disposal (disposal in this case doesn’t translate to “garbage,” it just means putting the object somewhere else). We can deaccession items and not dispose of them, but a museum should never dispose of an item without deaccessioning it.

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The Lived Experience of COVID-19 in Canada presentation recording available

The Lived Experience of COVID-19 in Canada presentation recording available

Savannah Sewell (MARF 2021) presented the results of her project, in which she endeavored to create a holistic and human narrative focused account of the lived experience of COVID-19. Savannah spoke to the hurdles and highlights of her experience in amassing a foundational COVID-19 Collection for the Museum of Health Care, and offered examples of the artifacts and narratives collected.

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The Story of Bennie Stalk and his life-saving operation

The Story of Bennie Stalk and his life-saving operation

William Benjamin Stalker, or Bennie, was only ten years old when he was accidentally shot by his twelve year old brother in September 1901. His arm was severely damaged, and within two days it became gangrenous. Bennie was later sent to Kingston General Hospital from his home near Plevna, Ontario-- an eleven hour trip.

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The Story of Lydia Pinkham and her vegetable compound

The Story of Lydia Pinkham and her vegetable compound

Today, many remember Lydia Pinkham as a champion of women’s health and provider of important information to thousands of women. The formula of her Vegetable Compound changed over the years, and survives today in different, modern forms.

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