America’s oldest hospital becomes Philadelphia’s newest museum
Pennsylvania Hospital
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Hospital, the nation’s first chartered hospital, celebrated its 275th anniversary by opening the Pennsylvania Hospital Museum in May 2026. Timed to coincide with Philadelphia’s America250 celebrations, the exhibits showcase the institution’s profound impact on the history of American medicine and highlight Penn Medicine’s ongoing leadership in scientific discovery and patient care.
Visitors to the museum’s eight galleries will experience preserved historic spaces — including the original library, surgical amphitheater, and a newly restored apothecary — alongside modern, interactive exhibits that illuminate the hospital’s long tradition of groundbreaking medical “firsts.” Additional galleries highlight Pennsylvania Hospital’s service during major national crises from wars to pandemics like the 1918 Spanish Flu and COVID 19.
“From its founding, Pennsylvania Hospital has embraced the idea that everyone is welcome,” says Stacey Peeples, lead archivist at Pennsylvania Hospital. “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.”
Pennsylvania Hospital was founded in 1751 by Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Thomas Bond to provide free care to vulnerable residents. Hospital leaders emphasize its mission of inclusivity, innovation, and service — values that have shaped its legacy for nearly three centuries and continue to guide its future.