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American Institute of the History of Pharmacy

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American Institute of the History of Pharmacy

The AIHP serves as American Pharmacy's historical society! Visit www.aihp.org

08/14/2026

🌿 Staff Favorite Artifact: Indian Cannabis & Red Cinchona

What do cannabis and tree bark have in common? Both hold fascinating stories in the history of pharmacy.

These crude drug jars containing Indian Cannabis and Red Cinchona highlight how natural materials have played an important role in the development of medicine. Indian Cannabis reflects changing approaches to medicinal substances over time, while Red Cinchona connects to the history of quinine and malaria treatment.

What makes these artifacts so fascinating is the connection between past and present. They may look like simple jars of plant material, but they represent changing medical practices, scientific discovery, and the continuing evolution of pharmacy.

✨ Both artifacts can be explored in AIHP’s Digital Collection on our website!

Small jars. Big history. 🌱💊

08/10/2026

We’re excited to welcome Amalia to AIHP! 🎉

Amalia is joining us as a visiting PhD/PharmD Research Fellow through AIHP’s Research Fellowship program. We’re so happy to have her with us and look forward to having her as part of the AIHP community during her visit!

Please join us in giving Amalia a warm welcome! 💙

08/05/2026

📰 Extra! Extra! Pharmacy news from 1922!

This issue of The Squibb Message, published in December 1922, was more than just a newsletter, it was a valuable resource for pharmacists across the country. Mailed to retail druggists, it featured industry news, public health updates, professional advice, business tips, and even ideas for holiday store displays.

Long before email newsletters and social media, publications like this helped keep the pharmacy community informed and connected. More than a century later, it's still giving us a fascinating glimpse into the profession's past.

📖 Which headline catches your eye first?

07/31/2026

🌿 Staff Favorite Artifact

This week, we're highlighting a beautiful selection of herbarium specimens from the F.B. Power Collection. These carefully preserved plants from the Rosaceae family, including ruby cinquefoil, dog rose, and sweet briar-rose, are part of a collection spanning more than 200 pressed plant and bark samples.

Collected between the 1880s and early 1900s, each specimen offers a glimpse into the history of botanical research. From handwritten labels to notes about where the plants were collected, every page tells its own story. Despite their age, these delicate specimens remain remarkably well preserved, making them a fascinating resource for researchers and visitors alike.

Swipe through to take a closer look at these historic botanical treasures! 🌹🍃

07/30/2026

Please join us in welcoming Will Hubbert to AIHP! 👋

Will is a second-year master's student in Library and Information Science at the UW-Madison iSchool. Before graduate school, he studied history at William & Mary, where he focused on American medical history.

This summer, Will is interning with AIHP, and he'll continue working with us this fall through his practicum project. When he's not exploring the archives, you'll likely find him playing percussion or biking around Madison.

We're excited to have Will on the team and look forward to the contributions he'll make. Welcome, Will!

07/24/2026

Staff Favorite Artifact 🩹

Some of the most meaningful artifacts in our collection aren't the largest or most elaborate, they're the ones that preserve a moment in history.

This week, Greg selected a small roll of gauze once sold in George Urdang's pharmacy in Rosenberg, West Prussia (present-day Poland). Though modest in appearance, it represents a rare surviving connection to the early career of AIHP's founding Executive Director before his journey eventually led him to Madison.

Swipe to hear why this artifact stands out to Greg and discover the remarkable history behind this everyday object.

07/23/2026

Coming soon to History of Pharmacy and Pharmaceuticals (HoPP)!

Explore the rich history of community pharmacies and the vital role they have played in shaping the health, culture, and connections of neighborhoods across generations.

Stay tuned for the release and discover the stories, people, and places that helped define pharmacy as we know it today.

📖 Learn more: aihp.org/hopp-journal

07/17/2026

Staff Favorite Artifact

Some artifacts tell a story simply by existing.

This week's Staff Favorite Artifact comes from Gen, our practicum student, who chose this tiny German prayer book (Gebetbuch), likely dating to around 1875. While its small size makes it unique, what stands out most is the story it carries.

At one point, someone kept this little book close, tucked into a pocket, carried through daily life, and cherished until it was worn with use. It's a quiet reminder that behind every object in our collection is a very human story.

What's a small object that holds a big memory for you?

07/16/2026

📣 Meet Our Team!

We're excited to welcome Genevieve to the American Institute of the History of Pharmacy!

Genevieve is a first-year master's student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison pursuing a Master of Arts in Library and Information Studies (MALIS). During her practicum with AIHP, she'll be assisting with cataloging, digitization, and a variety of archival projects that help preserve the rich history of pharmacy.

She earned her honors degree in English and Creative Writing from Indiana University Bloomington, graduating cm laude. Originally from Chicago, Genevieve returned to Madison to continue her studies and also works at the Phill and Liz Gross Learning Center.

We're thrilled to have Genevieve on the team and look forward to the expertise and enthusiasm she'll bring to our collections. Please join us in giving her a warm welcome! 👏

07/10/2026

⭐ Staff Favorite Artifact

Our Executive Director, Lucas Richert, chose Lee's Klondike Medicine Kit as his favorite artifact in the AIHP collections. Complete kits like this rarely survive-especially with their original medicines and instruction book still intact. More than a century later, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the challenges of healthcare, travel, and survival during the Klondike Gold Rush.

Which medicine bottle caught your eye?

Address

777 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI
53705

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 4pm
Tuesday	10am - 4pm
Wednesday	10am - 4pm
Thursday	10am - 4pm

Telephone

+16082625378

Website

http://www.aihp.org/

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