Paul S. Russell, MD Museum of Medical History...

Activity Overview

This unique museum is located at Massachusetts General Hospital, is named after Paul S. Russell, a pioneer in the field of transplant surgery.

The nearly-8,000-square-foot space includes two floors of galleries full of exhibits with various medical themes, as well as space for lectures and presentations.

Things to Do

• The three levels of the Russell Museum include:

  • The Main Gallery, located on the first floor, houses nearly 2,000 square feet of exhibits organized around various medical themes
  • The Putnam Gallery, located on the second floor, features rotating exhibits, a portrait gallery and space for lectures, presentations, receptions and other special events
  • A rooftop garden filled with more than 30 kinds of trees, shrubs, and other greenery offers guests views of Beacon Hill and the Massachusetts State House.
• Visitors can view an oil painting of the famous first surgery, early surgical tools, and an Egyptian mummy named Padihershef, which was gifted to the hospital in 1824 and currently resides in the Ether Dome.
• The Ether dome is a surgical amphitheater where anesthesia was used for the first time in the world. The teaching amphitheater is not housed in the museum, it’s in the hospital’s Bulfinch Building.
  • The area served as the hospital’s operating room from 1821 to 1868, where Dr. William Morton made history on Oct. 16, 1846 when he administered ether to the first surgery patient there.

Museum of Medical History and Innovation Insider Tips

• The Ether dome is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except during faculty meetings) and is free for visitors. Call 617-724-9557 for more information.