America's Oldest Hospital Transforms Into Philly Museum

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America's first chartered hospital, Pennsylvania Hospital, will mark its 275th anniversary by transforming its historic Pine Building into a new museum open to the public starting in May 2026. Timed to coincide with America250 celebrations in Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Hospital Museum will feature exhibits highlighting the hospital's rich history and role in the development of modern medicine, including a preserved historic library, surgical amphitheater, and restored apothecary.

Why it matters

As one of the oldest and most storied medical institutions in the United States, Pennsylvania Hospital's transformation into a museum provides an opportunity to share its pioneering history with the public and connect its legacy to the continued advancements in science and medicine happening at Penn Medicine today.

The details

The Pennsylvania Hospital Museum will feature eight unique galleries with interactive video and hands-on activities to illustrate previously untold stories about the hospital's role in the history of modern medicine. Visitors will be able to explore the preserved historic library and surgical amphitheater, as well as a newly restored apothecary, offering a glimpse into the hospital's past.

• Pennsylvania Hospital was America's first chartered hospital, founded in 1751.
• The hospital will mark its 275th anniversary in 2026.
• The new Pennsylvania Hospital Museum is scheduled to open to the public in May 2026.

What’s next

The museum's opening in May 2026 will coincide with the broader America250 celebrations taking place in Philadelphia that year, providing an opportunity for the public to explore the nation's medical history.