Announcements

Upcoming Annual Meetings of the Pennsylvania Historical Association

2010 Annual Meeting
Susquehanna University
October 14-16, 2010
Local Arrangements Co-Chairs: Karol Weaver or Edward Slavishak at Susquehanna University
Program Chair: Dennis Downey Dennis.Downey@millersville.edu

2011 Annual Meeting
University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
October 13-15, 2011
Local Arrangements Chair: Paul Douglas Newman pnewman@pitt.edu
Program Chair: Daniel Barr barrd@rmu.edu

2012 Annual Meeting
Harrisburg, PA
November 1-3, 2012
Local Arrangements Chair: Simon Bronner sjb2@psu.edu
Program Chair: TBA

The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia

The editors of The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia are pleased to announce that the Mid-Atlantic Regional Center for the Humanities (MARCH) at Rutgers-Camden will serve as the project's institutional home. The affiliation coincides with Rutgers-Camden's new initiatives in civic engagement and urban studies and with the appointment of one of the Encyclopedia's co-editors, Charlene Mires, as director of MARCH.

The project also has enhanced its website, http://www.philadelphiaencyclopedia.org, with sample essays and interactive features allowing users to join in topical discussions. PHA members are encouraged to participate in the project by visiting the website, offering their suggestions to the editors, and joining the Encyclopedia's list-serv. Future calls for contributors will be posted to the list-serv.

Exhibit: Anatomical Drawings on Display at Pennsylvania Hospital

From Pastels to PDA's : Medical Education from the 18^th c. to the 21^st c. exhibits our collection of sixteen Jan Van Rymsdyk anatomical drawings for the first time together in one display. Opening to the public on December 1, 2009, this exhibition is sure to engage visitors interested in the history of medicine.

Long before the use of the X-ray, CAT scan, ultrasound and digital technology, the use of images played an important role in the medical education of students. Anatomical illustrations were cutting edge in the eighteenth century, and Jan Van Rymsdyk was known as one of the best anatomical illustrators in the world. Van Rymsdyk has kept his stature over the past two and a half centuries. These illustrations were created with crayon making them very susceptible to damage, however, they survived a trip across the ocean in 1762 to become a center of the medical education young men received.

In a letter dated April 7, 1762, Fothergill stated, "I need not tell thee that the knowledge of anatomy is of exceeding great use to Practionors in Physic and Surgery & that the means of procuring Subjects with you are not easy." Medical education was about to change forever in Philadelphia.

Fothergill further offered his opinion that the drawings "not to be seen by every Person but with the Permission of a Trustee & for some small Gratuity for the Benefitt of the House." Heeding Dr. Fothergill's warning, the drawings were viewed on a limited basis and carefully housed to protect them. Today, as 247 years ago, the drawings are viewed on a limited basis making this exhibit a rare treat for the public. The exhibition will run until December 2010.