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American Institute of the History of Pharmacy

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American Institute of the History of Pharmacy

The AIHP serves as American Pharmacy's historical society! Visit www.aihp.org

06/12/2026

🎉 Early Birthday Celebration for George Urdang 🎉

This June 13th, George Urdang would have celebrated his 144th birthday! As an early tribute, we're sharing a glimpse into the remarkable legacy of one of pharmacy history's most influential figures.

These heartfelt birthday telegrams and dinner invitations, preserved in the George Urdang Collection, date back to the 1950s and reflect the admiration, respect, and friendship Urdang inspired throughout his life. From warm birthday wishes sent across the country to elegant dinner programs held in his honor, these artifacts tell a story of a scholar deeply valued by his colleagues and community.

One of our favorite details? A reservation for his 75th birthday dinner cost just $2.50 per person!

To continue the tradition, AIHP staff, board members, and friends recently gathered to celebrate Urdang's birthday. The final photo features AIHP Board President Cynthia Boyle and Executive Director Lucas Richert cutting the birthday cake alongside staff and board members! 🎂

These materials are part of the George Urdang Collection, currently being processed and organized by our summer iSchool practicum student. A complete finding aid and inventory will be available later this summer, making it easier than ever to explore the life and legacy of this pioneering historian of pharmacy.

🎂 Happy (early) 144th Birthday, George Urdang! Your impact on the history of pharmacy continues to inspire generations.

06/11/2026

Staff Picks: A Closer Look at a Favorite Artifact ⚖️

This week's staff pick is one of the strangest items in the AIHP collection: a jar labeled "Millipedes" from 1901.

The catch? We're not entirely convinced they're actually millipedes-they look more like pill bugs or roly-polies!

Historically, creatures like these occasionally appeared in folk remedies, and modern researchers have even explored compounds from millipede defensive glands for potential medical uses. But the purpose of this particular jar remains a mystery.

What makes it so fascinating is both its size (seriously, that's a lot of bugs!) and how little we know about its connection to pharmacy, despite its ties to the UW-Madison School of Pharmacy and Lehn & Fink, an early pharmaceutical company.

🪲 What do you think this jar was used for?

06/10/2026

New Acquisitions on Display!

This display case features some of the materials the American Institute of the History of Pharmacy has acquired within the last six months.

Highlights include:
- A collection of handwritten prescriptions from the 1920s and 1950s
- A fallout shelter medicine kit from 1963
- Two books on Chinese pharmacy and materia medica
- A new addition to our Psychoactive Substances Collection

Interested in donating materials to AIHP? We'd love to hear from you! Please email [email protected] to discuss potential acquisitions.

As a reminder, we lost access to our email for a time and if you sent a previous inquiry or donation request prior to February, we encourage you to reach out again at [email protected].

06/05/2026

Staff Picks: A Closer Look at a Favorite Artifact ⚖️

Before the metric system, pharmacists used specialized weight measurements like scruples and drachmas to prepare medications. This antique apothecary balance helped pharmacists carefully measure ingredients by hand - although not always with perfect precision. Over time, pharmacy shifted toward the metric system we still use today.
Fun fact: 1 scruple = 20 grains 1 drachma = 3 scruples

06/03/2026

At AIHP, we’re excited to introduce our Archives Assistant, Anna!

Anna is currently pursuing her Master’s in Library and Information Science at UW-Madison. She joined AIHP as a practicum student at the beginning of 2026 and transitioned into her current role in May. As Archives Assistant, Anna helps process and digitize archival collections, create finding aids, and develop exhibits that showcase the rich history preserved within our collections.

A Madison native, Anna previously spent several years outside Wisconsin earning degrees in Anthropology and World Heritage Studies before returning to Madison to continue her studies. We’re thrilled to have her on the AIHP team!😁

05/27/2026

Join us for the 2025 Urdang Medal Lecture featuring Dennis Worthen on Wednesday, June 17th at 11:00 AM CDT!

In this lecture, Worthen reflects on over 30 years of historical work exploring the people, stories, and experiences that shaped modern pharmacy practice. From student pharmacists to influential change agents, this talk offers a unique look back at pharmacy history through personal narratives and professional insight.

We hope to see you there! Registration link will be in the comments.

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we remember those who gave their lives in service to our country by honoring their stories.

Major Michael Alfonse Rafferty (1903–1944) was a pharmacist, physician, and researcher whose path took him from West Virginia University to military service during World War II. After enlisting in 1942, he was assigned to the 15th General Hospital in Liège, Belgium, where he worked at the 15th General Hospital in a medical supply depot supporting the care of others.

On November 24, 1944, that hospital was struck by a V-1 rocket, and Major Rafferty was among those killed, along with four other pharmacists and students. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

His story, preserved in Dennis Worthen's book, We Remember Them: Pharmacy’s Fallen, reminds us that members of the pharmacy profession not only supported those in service—they were among those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Major Rafferty's story, and those of others who served, are available to explore in Worthen's free book on the AIHP website.

Today, we remember them.

05/22/2026

In our latest "Scholar in the Archives," J.J. R. Strange dives into the AIHP’s collection to trace the rise and fall of this controversial chemical. You might recognize the name from the early 2000s, when ephedrine (and its stereoisomer pseudoephedrine) made headlines for everything from dietary supplement risks to its role in the secret production of illicit drugs.

But before it was a controlled substance, it was a massive global industry in the 1920-30s! Distilled from the Chinese plant ma huang, tons of this botanical were shipped to the U.S. to be processed in giant warehouses.

AIHP holds the "receipts" of this era—literally! We have: original preparation books, vintage advertisement materials, rare photos of processing warehouses.

Stay tuned as we uncover more global stories hidden in the stacks.

05/19/2026

🚨REMINDER!🚨
Pharmacy History Working Group: Meet the History of Pharmacy and Pharmaceuticals Editors
May 20 @ 11:00 am - 12:30 pm CDT
Speakers: Kelly O’Donnell, Towson University, & Lucas Richert, University of Wisconsin-Madison & American Institute of the History of Pharmacy

Considering publishing in the field of pharmacy history? The journal, History of Pharmacy and Pharmaceuticals (HoPP) publishes original scholarly articles about the history of pharmacy and pharmaceuticals, broadly defined, including (but not limited to) the history of: pharmacy practice, pharmacy science, pharmacy education, drug regulation, social and cultural aspects of drugs and medicines, the pharmaceutical industry-including the history of pharmaceuticals, drugs, and therapeutics-and facets of the related medical sciences.

HoPP solicits original unpublished scholarly manuscripts (which are not under consideration for publication elsewhere) of no more than 10,000 words (exclusive of footnotes). All submitted manuscripts undergo a double-blind peer-review process.

Sign up today — link in the comments!

Address

777 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI
53705

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 4pm
Tuesday	10am - 4pm
Wednesday	10am - 4pm
Thursday	10am - 4pm

Telephone

+16082625378

Website

http://www.aihp.org/

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