The Southern California Medical Museum
The SCMM consists of display cases in the conference room housing collections of medical artifacts, historical photographs, a medical library, medical artwork, special exhibits, artwork by physicians and medical art, and a recreation of a doctor’s office of the 1900-1930’s era.
The Collections are housed in cabinets located in the conference room. They are arranged to emphasize the various specialties of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing and allied medical fields and to give the visitor the opportunity to learn about the instruments and tools used in the past and the present. Some items are: pills, patent medicines, shock producing electrical devices, surgical tools (including a Civil War surgeon’s kit), hard rubber syringes, ether masks, trephines,
microscopes, tooth extractors, historical stethoscopes, plus
many other fascinating objects. Changing exhibits are designed
to highlight private collections of exceptional interest.
Photograph and Medical Art Exhibits are located on various hallway walls. The displays include photos of the presidents of SBCMS, starting at the first president, William Riley Fox in 1878. Other displays show the history of hospitals in San Bernardino County, medical artwork, antique engravings dating to the 1500’s, diplomas, and an exhibit of Medicine on Stamps. Physician created artwork are on display throughout the museum, with pottery, sculptures, bronzes and other works.
The Ralph M. Kleinman, M.D. Memorial Medical Library is presented in oak and glass cases in the entry area. The volumes span nearly two centuries of medicine and surgery, with books from the early 1600’s to some modern volumes relating the medical history of the region.
Library Highlight: Rare book in museum library
The Doctor’s Office is a life-sized diorama recreating a typical 1900-1930’s era examination room. A doctor is seated at his roll-top desk while a mother and her child stand nearby. In the room are equipment and other items that might be found in an office: an examination table, scale, supply cabinet, microscope, a black leather medical bag, and many other items.
The Museum
