American Veterinary Medical History Society
VETERINARY MUSEUMS and HISTORICAL EXHIBITS
A number of museums specializing in veterinary medicine and related topics have been established in the United States and Canada. They may be separate facilities or associated/affiliated with:
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Agricultural and farm museums
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Universities and colleges of veterinary medicine
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Libraries and archives
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State veterinary medical associations
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Governmental agencies and municipalities
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Local, state, and national historical organizations.
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Content and accessibility vary, but each is a unique treasure. Most are open to the public, or by appointment in advance.
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In addition, other museums, libraries, and archives pertaining to human medicine or the life sciences will occasionally mount exhibits of anatomical speciments, artifacts, books, and other items related to aspects of animal health and welfare.
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Anyone traveling around the country can learn more about the rich heritage of the veterinary profession by visiting these museums and historical exhibits. Because open hours for the smaller museums and exhibits are often seasonal, visitors should check the Websites or call in advance for the latest hours and access information.
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DONATIONS & INQUIRIES
Many of these museums continue to accept in-kind donations of instruments, artifacts, photographs, papers, books, specimens, signs, and other memorabilia to further expand their resources and collections. Some may also be able to help in identifying antique instruments and related items.
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AVMHS strongly supports the development and maintenance of these collections. Anyone wishing to donate items, provide financial support for their activities, or identify an instrument should contact the museum or institution directly.
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"Museums are the bridges between...the preservation of our veterinary heritage and...our veterinary profession along with their families, their clients and the public."
--- Harold Judd Davis, DVM
AVMHS is an institutional member of the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Dr. Zbigniew W. Wojcinski
Chair, Museum Committee
American Veterinary Medical History Society
734-660-4564
BROCHURE: Veterinary Museums and Historical Exhibits in the United States and Canada (rev. Sept. 2016)
DESCRIPTIVE GUIDE: Veterinary Museums and Historical Exhibits in the United States and Canada (rev. Sept. 2016)
Veterinary Museums & Historical Exhibits (Updated January 9, 2026)
The sites listed below offer visitors a wide range of informative displays, exhibits, and/or recreations related to the practice of veterinary medicine. They are open to the public year around or seasonally, or on a limited call or check ahead basis.
Visit, learn, enjoy!
Saint Paul (Ramsey County), Minnesota
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Minnesota Veterinary History Museum
University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine
1365 Gortner Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55108
Tel:
Email: mvhm@umn.edu
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OPEN: 8am-4:30pm, Mon-Fri or by appointment​
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This museum collects all history of veterinary medicine, emphasizing local history-makers in Minnesota. Our collection includes veterinary instruments, pharmaceuticals, furniture, lab equipment, notebooks, pharmaceutical formularies, books, photographs, publications, and anatomical prints.
It holds over 6,000 catalogued objects and 1,000 photos. They have a collection of over 900 veterinary books published between 1680 and the present.
Westminster (Carroll County), Maryland
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1890 Veterinary Surgeon's Office
Carroll County Farm Museum
500 South Street
Westminster, MD 21157
Tel: 800-654-4645
Email: ccfarm@carrollcountymd.gov
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OPEN: Seasonally; year around events
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The Carroll County Farm Museum is home to one of the largest collections of historic farm artifacts and machinery in the Mid-Atlantic region.​​
Jefferson City (Cole County), Missouri
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Veterinary Museum
Missouri Veterinary Medical Association Foundation 2500 Country Club Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109
Tel: 573-636-8612
Email: mvma@movma.org
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OPEN: Year around, 9am-4pm, Mon-Fri
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Displays in this museum feature over 1,000 artifacts dating from the 16th century to the present.​​
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East Lansing (Clinton & Ingham Counties), Michigan
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College of Veterinary Medicine
Michigan State University
Veterinary Medical Center F & G wings
784 Wilson Road Room G-100
East Lansing, MI 48824-1314
Tel: 517-355-6509 (dean's office)
Email:
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OPEN: Year around, 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri
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Several display cases located near the dean's office present a wide array of various antique veterinary instruments. ​​
Ithaca (Tompkins County), New York
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Dr. John M. King Veterinary Instrument Collection
College of Veterinary Medicine
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853-6401
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ACCESS: Unavailable for public viewing on site
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This collection of over 275 antique veterinary instruments was compiled by John M. King, DVM, PhD, DACVP (1927-2016), Professor Emeritus of Pathology at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
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The collection consists of 22 shadow boxes with labeled instruments.
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View Dr. King giving a 1.5-hour guided video tour of these previously displayed wall-mounted “Antique Veterinary instruments” shadow boxes in 2012.
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​Tregaskis S. Vintage vet: retired pathologist curates a collection of antique veterinary instruments. Cornell Alumni Magazine. 2012 May-Jun;114(6):96.
Louisville (Jefferson County), Kentucky
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Jefferson Animal Hospital
Regional Emergency and Trauma Center
4504 Outer Loop
Louisville, KY 40219
Tel: 502-900-PETS
Email: https://jeffersonanimalhospitals.com/contact-us/
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OPEN: 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri call ahead
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Fond du Lac (Fond du Lac), Wisconsin
Dr. Fred J. Born Veterinary Office
Galloway House and Village
336 Old Pioneer Road
P.O. Box 1284
Fond du Lac, WI 54936-1284
Tel: 920-922-1166
Email: info@fdlhistory.org
ACCESS: Seasonal; Unavailable for visiting (2026)
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Veterinary office is sponsored by the Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association
Veterinary Items in Historical Museums (Updated January 9, 2026)
State and local historical societies and museums may also have permanent and periodic exhibits, archival collections, and/or memorabilia related to veterinary medicine, especially associated with their local and regional communities. They are open to the public year around or seasonally, or on a limited call or check ahead basis.
Visit, learn, enjoy!
Lexington (Fayette County), Kentucky
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International Museum of the Horse
Kentucky Horse Park
4089 Iron Works Parkway
Lexington, KY 40511
Tel: 859-233-4303
Email: https://kyhorsepark.com/contact-us/
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OPEN: Seasonal; 10am-4pm, Weds-Sun (winter)
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The largest and most comprehensive museum in the world dedicated to exploring the important history of all horses and their impact on human civilization.
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With over 64,000 square feet, IMH is dedicated to the history of the horse and its unique relationship with humans through time. Permanent museum exhibitions highlight the history of the horse from ancient times to the many popular sporting events of modern times.
Viroqua (Vernon County), Wisconsin
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Vernon County Museum
Vernon County HistoricalSociety
410 S. Center Street, P.O. Box 444
Viraqua, WI 54665
Tel: 608-637-7346
Email: museum@vernoncountyhistory.org
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OPEN: Varies by season; 11am-4pm Mon-Sat (summer)