Pennsylvania Hospital’s historical significance can’t be overstated — it was already 25 years old when the fledgling United States declared independence, and has been a leader in medicine and patient care since 1751. But sometimes history needs a little extra oomph for all its fascinating stories to come to life.
For the past five years, PAH has invited curious community members to walk in the shoes of 18th and 19th century physicians during a special open house during the annual Philadelphia Science Festival. Hosted by Stacey C. Peeples, MA, curator and lead archivist of the hospital’s historic collections, and a group of talented reenactors, visitors were encouraged to explore the medicinal plants of the Physic Garden, learn about pre-Novocaine dentistry in the Historic Medical Library and pre-anesthesia surgery in the amphitheatre, and discuss microscopes and scientific discovery with “Benjamin Franklin.”
For reenactor Donah Beale, extensive research inspired her to “inhabit” PAH nurse Lucy Finley. By combing the hospital archives with Peeples, Beale learned that Finley advanced from laundress to soap maker to baker, and then finally to charge nurse — a progression that intrigued Beale. “If I could have dinner with anyone in the world, it would be Lucy. I’d want to ask her ‘How did you pull that off exactly, young lady?’” she said. More than 75 visitors were equally riveted by Beale’s performance.
“This was different from any other tour where someone leads you around,” said Peeples. “There were guides, but the reenactors made this event interactive and added so much color from the time period. As historians, we’ve learned to take small bits of information and expand that by combining it with other sources to develop a fuller picture.”
To learn more about the festival, Beale, and her research of Lucy Finley, check out the Penn Medicine News Blog!