Connecting health and natural history: a failed initiative at the American Museum of Natural History, 1909-1922

Abstract

In 1909, curator Charles-Edward Winslow established a department of public health in New York City's American Museum of Natural History (AMNH). Winslow introduced public health as a biological science that connected human health-the modern sciences of physiology, hygiene, and urban sanitation-to the natural history of plants and animals. This was the only time an American museum created a curatorial department devoted to public health. The AMNH's Department of Public Health comprised a unique collection of live bacterial cultures-a "Living Museum"-and an innovative plan for 15 exhibits on various aspects of health. I show how Winslow, facing opposition from AMNH colleagues, gathered scientific experts and financial support, and explain the factors that made these developments seem desirable and possible. I finish with a discussion of how the Department of Public Health met an abrupt and "inglorious end" in 1922 despite the success of its collections and exhibitions.

FIGURE 1—

To accommodate the huge crowds (753 927 people) attending the independently organized Tuberculosis Exhibition (November 1908–January 1909), American Museum of Natural History officials created a temporary entrance on the north end of the west façade (off Columbus Avenue). This event convinced museum officials of the need to create a new curatorial department for issues relating to public health. Source. Thomas Lunt, photographer, “Throng at Entrance to Tuberculosis Exhibition, Sunday, December 6, 1908,” reproduction photograph, 19 × 24 cm, neg. # 32186, Vertical Photographic Files, Library Special Collections, American Museum of Natural History. Printed with permission.

FIGURE 2—

The American Museum of Natural History’s Hall of Public Health (opened April 1913) was located in the west corridor on the third floor above the main entrance (south section) and included individual displays for exhibits on water supply (left wall, window section), sewage and waste disposal (center section), and insect-related disease (right-hand wall). These were all keyed to a special Syllabus Guide for educational viewing by students and visitors. Source. Line drawing, Lawrence Vail Coleman, Syllabus Guide to Public Health Exhibits in the American Museum of Natural History. Dealing With Water Supply, Disposal of Municipal Wastes and Insect-Bourne Diseases; an Outline for Teachers and Students (New York, NY: American Museum of Natural History Library, 1917), 1. Printed with permission.

FIGURE 3—

The giant model “as big as a cat” of the common housefly (enlarged 40 times) used some 200 actual specimens, mostly living (chloroformed), to ensure the most accurate reproduction, with the most difficult part being the compound eyes, each with 1200 separate ocelli. It was the central feature in the exhibit on the most common disease-carrying insects at the April 1913 opening of the American Museum of Natural History’s Hall of Public Health. Source.“Common Housefly or Filth Fly. Musca domestica Linneaus, side view” (model), April 1913; Julius Kirchner, photographer, reproduction photograph, neg. #34070, Vertical Photographic Files, Public Health Hall, Library Special Collections, American Museum of Natural History Library. Printed with permission.

FIGURE 4—

Among the displays of the 1917 Food Conservation Exhibition by the American Museum of Natural History’s Department of Public Health was one showing the costs and contents of certain common foods. The percentages of food constituents are represented as follows: protein (P), carbohydrates (C), water (W), acid (A), and refuse (R). The note in the center states that while the prices have changed since the original study made in 1915, the relative energy values have remained about the same. Source. Public Health Album 109, no. 140, PPC A45 D48, neg. #36709, Library Special Collections, American Museum of Natural History Library. Printed with permission.