History of Medicine
A Photographic Gallery: Images of NLM and NIH
Institutional Images - People Associated with NLM - The NLM Building Complex - Interior Views - The Lister Hill Center - Images of NIH
Institutional Images
Gilded title carved in granite slab at the main entrance of Building 38.
Seal, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
Gilded text carved in granite inside entrance of NLM,
describing in brief the history of the NLM:
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE Founded in 1836 as the Library of the Surgeon-General's Office, United States Army + developed as a national resource under the leadership of John Shaw Billings, Librarian from 1865 to 1895 + named Army Medical Library in 1922, and Armed Forces Medical Library in 1952 + made a part of the Public Health Service of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in 1956 + established on this site in 1961, the one hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary of its founding.
Seal, U.S. National Library of Medicine
The Library's official seal, designed in 1986 by the Army Institute of Heraldry, shows the familiar staff and serpent adapted from the staff of Aesculapius, the mythological god of medicine; an open book with three clasps which represent knowledge in three primary areas--medical research, education and practice; electronic flashes, which suggest NLM's leadership in applying new technology to communications; and laurel branches symbolizing the Library's preeminence as a medical resource available to institutions and individuals throughout the world.
People Associated with NLM
Donald A. B. Lindberg, M.D.,
Director of the NLM (1984-present)
Bronze bust of John F. Kennedy.
While a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, Kennedy joined Senator Lister Hill in putting forward a bill creating the National Library of Medicine in its present form. Kennedy later signed the bill into law as a newly elected President (bust created by artist Robert Berks in 1969, approximately 16 inches tall).
While a U.S. Senator from Alabama, Hill joined Senator John Kennedy in putting forward a bill creating the National Library of Medicine in its present form (bust created by artist Robert Berks in 1969, approximately 16 inches tall).
The NLM Building Complex
National Library of Medicine complex (Buildings 38 and 38A), looking west from Rockville Pike, Spring.
Entrance to National Library of Medicine (Building 38), looking west, Spring.
National Library of Medicine complex (Buildings 38 and 38A), looking west from Rockville Pike, Summer.
National Library of Medicine complex (Buildings 38 and 38A), looking west from Rockville Pike, Summer.
National Library of Medicine complex (Buildings 38 and 38A), looking west from Rockville Pike, illuminated at nighttime.
National Library of Medicine complex (Buildings 38 and 38A), looking southeast, Summer.
Entrance to National Library of Medicine (Building 38), looking west from Rockville Pike, Summer.
Entrance to National Library of Medicine (Building 38), looking southwest, Summer.
Entrance to National Library of Medicine (Building 38), looking west, Summer.
Interior Views
Patron sitting at a computer workstation beneath the rotunda
of the National Library of Medicine (building 38).
A computer room at the NLM, containing a mainframe computer,
circa 1976.
The Lister Hill Center
Lister Hill Center Center (Building 38A),
looking northwest, Summer.
Lister Hill Center (Building 39A) auditorium
(MEDICOM meeting, 1985).
Audience area, Lister Hill Center auditorium.
Images of NIH
Building 1 (Main Administrative Building), NIH, looking northwest, Summer.
Two workers in a NIH research laboratory.
The NIH Clinical Center (Building 10), looking southwest.
Surgeons at work, NIH Clinical Center.
