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Hopkins Medical Archives
@jhmedarchives.bsky.social
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The Johns Hopkins Alan Mason Chesney Medical Archives. We collect, preserve, and share the history of Johns Hopkins Medicine, Nursing, and Public Health.

medicalarchives.jhmi.edu
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We are excited to welcome faculty and students from the JHU Film & Media Program to the Chesney Archives today! They are filming a documentary short focusing on Martha Jones's Hard Histories work using the Records of the Johns Hopkins Hospital Orphan Asylum. 📽️🎞️🎬https://tinyurl.com/4k28pxvk
October 16, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Reposted by Hopkins Medical Archives
hopkinsretro.bsky.social
"On October 21, Homewood Museum will open If Homewood’s Walls Could Talk: A History of an American House, a new exhibition exploring the house’s full 224-year history."

blogs.library.jhu.edu/2025/10/new-...
A black and white photo of a grand door entrance and its entrance hall. Two sets of wooden doors open out onto a grassy and tree-covered lawn. The transoms above each door arch over with an intricate design that looks like decorative spokes on wheels.
October 3, 2025 at 5:13 PM
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Was Gilman Hall the first building constructed on Homewood campus? Can you guess when a photo was taken by what someone is wearing? Test out your university history skills at Hop Into History this 10/02 on Keyser Quad from 11 AM – 2 PM. We’ll also have some prizes and light snacks for you to grab.
A woman in her thirties wearing a bright yellow jacket stands in front of a whiteboard, pointing to it while two younger women look at the board in excitement. They stand outside on a brick walkway with large trees shading them. In the foreground is a table with cookies and bags of chips.
September 29, 2025 at 6:43 PM
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Staff dining and caffeinating from the vending machines in the Johns Hopkins Hospital employee lounge, circa 1960. Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Office of Public Affairs Photograph Collection. #NationalCoffeeDay ☕
September 29, 2025 at 2:17 PM
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Check out "Eyes on Wilmer: 100 Years of Ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins," an exhibit in the Welch Library featuring items from our collections, along with items from the Institute of the History of Medicine's historical collections, and others. Read more here: www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/article...
Exhibit Celebrates Wilmer Centennial
www.hopkinsmedicine.org
September 19, 2025 at 3:36 PM
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The Chesney Archives mourns the loss of one of our beloved volunteers, Chris Ponticas, who passed away at age 90 on September 4, 2025. Chris was a joy and an inspiration. She will be missed. www.peacefulalternatives.com/obituary/chr...
Obituary for Chrysoula Ponticas at Peaceful Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Center
Chrysoula Chris Ponticas, age 90 years, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 4, 2025. She was born and raised in Baltimore, the oldest daughter of Luke and Tessea Carman, Baltimore restaurant...
www.peacefulalternatives.com
September 12, 2025 at 1:07 PM
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Helen Taussig enjoying her garden and the company of her dogs, circa 1973. From our Helen B. Taussig Collection, photographer unknown.
August 28, 2025 at 7:50 PM
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This week has us feeling as "busy as fifty bees," as Edith Houghton Hooker wrote in this letter from our collections dated November 3, 1903. 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝
August 28, 2025 at 6:41 PM
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Consider indulging this weekend with recipes from the On Duty in the Kitchen, Again cookbook compiled by The Johns Hopkins Nurses' Alumni Association, part of our Constance Cole Waxter Collection. Sauerkraut Surprise Cake, anyone?
August 22, 2025 at 4:03 PM
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Welcome to this year's cohort of Vivien Thomas Scholars! We are always excited to visit with you each year and hope you enjoyed exploring materials from our Vivien Thomas Collection yesterday. 🌟
August 19, 2025 at 12:40 PM
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In February, former Hugh Hawkins fellow Aurora J. Grutman published her article in BMC Medical Education on her research titled, "Voices of change: experiences of early women urology residents — a single institution qualitative research study".

bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....
Voices of change: experiences of early women urology residents — a single institution qualitative research study - BMC Medical Education
Objective To understand the experiences of early women urology residents at a single institution, as told in their own words. Methods A convenience sample of women residents who trained at the Brady U...
bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com
August 14, 2025 at 4:47 PM
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A beautiful day on the Johns Hopkins Mt. Washington campus! 🌺🌼🌻
Mt. Washington campus fountain and octagon building flowering tree outside of McAuley Hall on JHU Mt. Washington campus
August 8, 2025 at 5:39 PM
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Attention incoming Blue Jays! Want to tour the library spaces on campus? Join us August 22nd at the BLC Patio at 2:00, 2:45. and 4:14 PM to get a personalized tour of our fantastic study spaces with Librarian for English, Philosophy, and Special Collections Student Engagement Heidi Herr.
July 30, 2025 at 3:32 PM
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In a recent accession, we found this 1918 letter fastened together using a metal nail! Interesting, but not good for archival preservation! The letter was written during Dr. Edwards A. Park's time serving with the American Red Cross in France during WWI.
August 1, 2025 at 8:10 PM
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#ChristmasinJuly isn't just for Hallmark. We're feeling the Christmas spirit here at Chesney with the many holiday cards from Johns Hopkins Hospital, circa 1930s and 40s, that we have in our Photograph Collections🎄
Christmas Greetings, Dome Santa hanging a Christmas wreath on the Dome Merry Christmas, Dome
July 24, 2025 at 6:36 PM
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This postcard from 1928 from Orthello Langworthy in the Lewis Weed Collection has us thinking about our upcoming long weekend and travel plans. Is it Friday yet?
postcard from 1928, drawing of western North Carolina roadway text on back of 1928 postcard
July 2, 2025 at 5:08 PM
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“Today, millions of people have lived, but nobody knows where it came from. I feel like it’s a shame, it’s such an important part of Bangladeshi history that is relegated to the sidelines.”

magazine.krieger.jhu.edu/2025/05/find...
Finding hope in a box
Ragheeb Moazzem found surprising inspiration for a documentary in an archival box. The work ties together his own Bangledeshi heritage, public health history, and hope for the future.
magazine.krieger.jhu.edu
June 3, 2025 at 2:50 PM
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It's National Nurses Week! Nurses are on the frontlines of health care and are integral to Johns Hopkins. Our collections illuminate the work of nurses across the institution, including JH School of Nursing records and images like this one of JH Hospital nurses circa 1978. Thank you for your work!
Two women in nursing uniforms read a magazine titled "The Hopkins Nurse."
May 7, 2025 at 7:06 PM
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The keto diet is known as a weight loss fad, but was originally developed to treat epilepsy before the use of anticonvulsant medication. Dr. John Freeman wrote this poem, "Ode to the Ketogenic Diet" as an opening to his 2013 article about the history of the treatment. National #Poetry Month
A copied page of text: "Ode to the Ketogenic Diet The keto diet is at last More than just a past repast Some find you needn't even fast As done when Meryl was in the cast Charlie's fine, his spells no more They're hidden deep in days of yore Remember drugs, yes three or four That was all we did before. No company yet does make this diet, But when they do, there'll be a riot. As people rush the stores to buy it, Better than pills, you ought to try it. Patience, Jim, is now rewarded, Science moves but slowly forward. We've moved at last Past the diet's being a past repast."
April 30, 2025 at 7:21 PM
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Many nursing students at Johns Hopkins cared for patients during the AIDS epidemic of 1980s and 90s. Poems, like this one from the Summer 1992 Nurses Alumnae Magazine, illuminate the emotional experience of caring for and befriending patients who are terminally ill.
National #Poetry Month
A clipping from a magazine, with the text: "This poem was written by Jacqueline McDaniels, Class of 93 to Doug, a patient with AIDS. Jackie knew and cared for him while working as a nursing assistant on Osler 8. TO DOUG I have only known you for a short time, but you touched a special place in my heart with your quirky smile and sense of humor and your baby face. I mourn — - for your lost future - for your future accomplishments - for all the special times not shared. My heart goes out to your mother, as I feel her pain, for I too am a mother and understand. I cry in sorrow — - for you - for your family - for myself and my helplessness - for all the countless others who have and will know your despair. I cry in sorrow for all your pain and all the suffering that you have endured. But, : I cry in joy — - for knowing that someday soon or someday later you will find peace and comfort in the loving and soothing arms of GOD. Know ... that I have been touched by you. Thank you." Vol. 91, No. 2
April 11, 2025 at 2:42 PM
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Are you interested in researching Hopkins history? Want to dive into archival collections? Apply for the Hugh Hawkins Research Fellowship now!

retrospective.jhu.edu/hopkins-fellowships
A flier promoting the Hugh Hawkins Research Fellowships and detailing that the fellowship stipend is $3,500 and the application deadline is April 14, 2025. At the top of the flier there is a black and white photo of two mascots, a bull and a dog, putting their hands up to their faces in surprise at seeing each other.
March 14, 2025 at 2:15 PM
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Dr. William Osler, a founding doctor at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and School of Medicine, was instrumental in training medical students. A reprint of this 1901 poem "Rounds with Dr. Osler" describes the student experience of being quizzed by the doctor during rounds. National #Poetry Month.
A page from an old magazine, with a poem: "ROUNDS WITH DR. OSLER By Dr. Thos. R. Boggs, J.H. 1901 I Haste! Haste! ye clerks, make break-fast brief; And follow close your lord and chief; With paper blank and pen in fist Let not a single note be missed When William Osler, K.C.B., F.R.S., F.R.C.P., Makes his rounds. II No matter how much work may be Awaiting you beneath "Ward G." When on the bridge he's heard to sing, Drop all and wait upon the king- For William Osler, K.C.B., F.R.S., F.R.C.P., Is making rounds. II See how the double doors sling back­- And in he comes with all his pack From North and South from West and East They flock like vultures to a feast­ When William Osler, K.C.B., F.R.S., F.R.C.P., Is making rounds." A continuation of the poem: "IV All sorts of folk are in his pack From city swell to country back­- Swine like they crowd each empty space- Crowd clerks and internes out of place When William Osler K.C.B., F.R.S., F.R.C.P., Is making rounds. V Now when he's seen your case per-chance, And done his little song and dance, A cunning trap he lays for you, And holds four fingers up to view, Does William Osler K.C.B., F.R.S., F.R.C.P., In making rounds. VI Says, "Mr. Blank," "Tell us what points About the swelling of the joints Have been impressed upon your brain Since you have followed in our train?" Says William Osler K.C.B., F.R.S., F.R.C.P., While making rounds. VII You glibly give the list of points­ He made upon these self-same joints When last he talked upon the case. You stop and smile into the face Of William Osler K.C.B., F.R.S., F.R.C.P., Who's making rounds. VIII Poor lad! Pride antedates a fall; For when you're sure you've named them all From out his sleeve he draws two more Which you have never heard before, Will William Osler K.C.B., F.R.S., F.R.C.P., While making rounds. IX Cheer up sad hearts you're not alone, See, ere his morning's work is done, Unless some marvel come to pass, He'll prove each clerk in turn an ass, Will William Osler K.C.B., F.R.S., F.R.C.P., While making rounds."
April 4, 2025 at 4:31 PM
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Can't ready your doctor's handwriting? How about these pages from Dr. Howard A. Kelly's 1872 copybook - featuring his script as a 14-year-old composition student (left) and later as an adult (right).
#ArchivesHashtagParty #ArchivesHandwriting
A handwritten page from a journal with clear, orderly handwriting. A handwritten page from a journal with informal and scribble-like handwriting.
March 7, 2025 at 11:54 PM
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This month we are celebrating #ArchivesFeast by highlighting the work of the Johns Hopkins Hospital food service workers, who provide meals for patients and staff every day. From our collections are images of food service staff circa 1969-1972 preparing meal trays for patients. #ArchivesHashtagParty
Two women prepare food trays in a cafeteria. A man moves straps food trays to a cart for delivery. A woman hands a portion of food to a coworker.
December 6, 2024 at 1:55 PM
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In honor of World AIDS Day we're highlighting our B. Frank Polk Collection. Polk was instrumental in the creation of the AIDS Treatment Unit at Hopkins, which prioritized treatment of patients with AIDS throughout the 1980s. Thanks to the efforts of Polk and others, today AIDS is manageable disease.
B. Frank Polk Collection | Chesney Archives
medicalarchives.jhmi.edu
December 2, 2024 at 2:51 PM