A fascinating glimpse into a rare collection
More than two dozen UMRA members gathered for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes visit to the Wangensteen Historical Library of Biology and Medicine on the U of M Twin Cities campus in early March. The visit was hosted by Curator Lois Hendrickson. She and her colleagues Emily Beck (pictured behind the table) and Anna Orskov assembled some 40 items from the library’s collection of 73,000-plus volumes of rare books, journals, and manuscripts that span more than 500 years, and 8,300 artifacts.
The event was the second in the new “Cabinets of Curiosity” series of visits to obscure collections on the U of M campus, organized by UMRA members Sally Gregory Kohlstedt, Jan Morlock, and Cathy Lee Gierke.
More events are being planned for the coming months.
Cabinets of Curiosity: Wangensteen Historical Library of Biology and Medicine
Wed, Mar 8 2023, 1pm
516 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis 55455
Medical books and artifacts remind us of the amazing breakthroughs that benefit us in the 21st century. At the same time, many remind of us of some surprising continuities in health challenges like pandemics and endemic medical challenges. Documenting this history is the goal of the Wangensteen Historical Library of Biology and Medicine. Somewhat hidden in the lower level of the Phillips-Wangensteen Building in the Medical School complex, the library houses both tantalizing artifacts and rare volumes that date back more than half a millennium. Strange instruments for bloodletting, advertisements for quack medicines, rare copies of books by Vesalius and other anatomical pioneers, and illustrated accounts of Japanese water cures are just a sample of its more than 75,000 holdings.
Participation will be limited to 25. There is no fee for the outing, but advance registration is required. Registration has now closed. We hope you can attend a future event! Contact Cathy at [email protected] if you would like to be added to a wait list.
The second in our series of Cabinets of Curiosity on the UMN campus, the library was established by Owen Wangensteen, a renowned and successful surgeon who taught at the University in the middle of the 20th century. Aware of the importance of historical records and familiar with rare books collection in Europe and other major medical schools, he began to build a collection. He contributed part of his salary and encouraged grateful patients to support this university collection as it acquire books and manuscripts, as well as significant instruments. Generous and dedicated to science and medicine, he never patented his Wangensteen suction apparatus because he wanted it to be widely accessible at a modest cost, which is to the present day. It is another of the treasures on our campus.
Long-time curator and collector Lois Hendrickson has agreed to bring out significant examples of these rare materials for us to marvel about. This is a wonderful opportunity to see and view manuscripts and books primarily available primarily to scholars, some of come from well beyond our campus to use these materials for research purposes. This event is an opportunity to see them up close and hear about their provenance and currency today.
The plan is to visit from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on March 8 (while the campus is quiet during Spring Break). Parking is adjacent at the Washington Avenue Ramp, and there will be optional post-event conversation at the nearby Beacon Pub in the Graduate Hotel.
Questions? Contact Sally Gregory Kohlstedt at [email protected] or Jan Morlock at [email protected].
Upcoming Events
Our July 15 "hike" is going to be a kayaking adventure on Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun) and Lake of the Isles! If you don't have a kayak (or paddleboard), Wheel Fun Rentals, located next to the new concession stand rents single kayaks at $15 an hour and double kayaks at $25. The second hour is free if we rent before noon. Life jackets are provided with the rental.
Laura Ericksen will lead the discussion of How Stella Learned to Talk by Christina Hunger, a true story by a speech-language pathologist who taught her dog, Stella, to communicate using buttons associated with different words.
Our August 5 hike will be a reprise of our hike last summer at William O'Brien State Park. This is a beautiful park with a winding trail and a great view of the countryside. The hike is about 5.5 to 6 miles and we'll go at a moderate pace with frequent water breaks. After the hike, we will eat lunch at Rustic Roots Winery, a half mile north of the park.
Kathy Cramer will lead the discussion of The Bookbinder by Pip Williams, a book set in 1914 Oxford chronicling the life of Peggy who works in the University bindery, but craves a life beyond binding books but to being a scholar herself.
Enjoy a two-hour cruise on the Jonathan Padelford, leaving from the Harriet Island dock in St. Paul, boarding time at 5:30 p.m. We will have a brief program on board by Patrick Nunnally from the River Life Program of the Institute on the Environment.
August 31 is the due date for annual reports and updates. Annual Reports, Toolkits, web page updates, operating document updates and archives collections are all due each year on this date.
Autumn is a wonderful season in Minnesota so plan to join UMRA at the Andersen Horticultural Library at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Kristen Mastel, head librarian and curator, will reveal its treasure trove of publications and artifacts relating to plant history, horticulture, and natural history. After the tour, those who are interested may stay to eat lunch together, sitting outside if the weather is nice. Later, you are invited to a one-hour tram tour of the entire Arboretum that includes natural areas of flowering shrubs, bogs, and forests, family garden and landscaping showpieces, and the red barn farm
After a summer break the UMRA Photo Club will next meet September 10, 2024 in the meeting room of the Hennepin County St. Anthony Branch Library. For those interested in lunch, meet at the Great Dragon at 11:30 am. For September the THEME will be Curves
We will continue to discuss the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage. You will also hear about notable non-health plan and non-broker resources.