Mobile Medical Museum: A Journey Through Healing History

Step back in time at the Mobile Medical Museum, an institution dedicated to preserving and exhibiting the rich medical history of Mobile and the Gulf Coast. Founded in 1962 by Dr. Samuel Eichold II, the museum's collection has grown to over 5,000 artifacts, making it the largest medical collection in the Southeast. The museum is located in the Vincent-Doan House, one of Mobile's oldest homes, dating back to 1827. The building itself is a historical artifact, providing a tangible link to the past. Inside, visitors can explore exhibits showcasing medical instruments, equipment, photographs, and documents from the 1700s to the present day. Highlights of the museum include pre-Civil War anatomical models, early 20th-century X-ray equipment, and a 1969 heart-lung machine. An iron lung from the 1930s serves as a reminder of the challenges posed by the polio epidemic. The museum also features a medicinal garden showcasing multicultural traditions of herbal medicine. The J.L. Bedsole Archives and Ben May Library contain rare books, letters, and photographs available for research. The museum's exhibits aim to provide the public with a broad understanding of the evolution of healthcare, showcasing the art and science of medicine through the ages.