America’s first chartered hospital, Pennsylvania Hospital, will celebrate its 275th anniversary by opening a museum in its historic Pine Building. The museum is scheduled to open to the public in May 2026, aligning with the America250 celebrations in Philadelphia. The new Pennsylvania Hospital Museum aims to connect the institution’s history with Penn Medicine’s ongoing work in science and medicine.
The museum will feature exhibits such as the preserved historic library, surgical amphitheater, and a restored apothecary. Eight galleries will use interactive video and hands-on activities to tell stories about Pennsylvania Hospital’s role in medical history.
“Pennsylvania Hospital is not only linked to the history of just Philadelphia – but to the history of the United States of America: From caring for soldiers during the American revolution to sending physicians and nurses abroad to care for soldiers in World War I and World War II, from the Yellow Fever in 1793 to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, from brewing healing teas from herbs grown on hospital grounds to developing brain-computer interfaces that can treat conditions like Parkinson’s disease and obsessive-compulsive disorder,” said Stacey Peeples, Lead Archivist at Pennsylvania Hospital. “I am thrilled to illuminate the huge contributions of generations of caregivers, patients and staff, so that every visitor can share in the pride we feel in the history of Pennsylvania Hospital.”
The galleries will focus on several themes:
- Brain and mental health: The hospital was originally founded to provide psychiatric care for Philadelphia’s poorest residents. It continues to develop new treatments such as Deep Brain Stimulation for binge-eating disorder and thought-powered prosthetics.
- Women’s health: As Philadelphia’s busiest birthing hospital today, Pennsylvania Hospital has influenced modern obstetrics since establishing its first maternity ward in 1803. It continues efforts to address racial disparities in maternal health care.
- Apothecary and pharmaceuticals: A reconstructed apothecary traces how treatments have evolved from plant-based remedies to modern therapies like CAR-T cell therapy and CRISPR gene editing developed at Penn Medicine.
- Leading through conflicts: The hospital cared for soldiers during wars starting with the American Revolution and provided care during pandemics including Spanish Flu and COVID-19.
“Pennsylvania Hospital is a jewel in the crown that is Penn Medicine, where our staff draw energy from our rich history to shape the future of medicine,” said Alicia Gresham, CEO of Pennsylvania Hospital. “It is an honor to preserve this vibrant legacy while steering the hospital forward as we continue to make history through innovation, discovery, and advances that propel Penn Medicine’s mission.”
Founded by Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Thomas Bond in 1751 “for the reception and cure of poor sick persons…free of charge,” Pennsylvania Hospital introduced a new model at a time when most people received care at home if they could pay for it.
Over its 275-year history, Pennsylvania Hospital has remained a leader in patient care. Today it is recognized nationally for specialties including neurosurgery, obstetrics—including high-risk maternal-fetal services—neonatology, behavioral health, and orthopaedics. In fiscal year 2025 it operated 517 licensed inpatient beds with nearly 20,000 adult admissions, over 54,000 emergency department visits, and more than 5,100 births.
As one of Philadelphia's oldest institutions—predating American independence—the hospital remains central both as a healthcare provider and community member.
“From its founding, Pennsylvania Hospital has embraced the idea that everyone is welcome,” said Peeples. “The sense of community is woven into the very fabric of the institution—you can feel it the moment you walk through our doors. No one is ever a stranger here.”
Tickets are expected go on sale this spring. More information about updates or ticket sales can be found at www.PAHospitalMuseum.org.
