The displays at the International Museum of Surgical Science in Chicago were fun to see. I was not at all sure what to expect in this museum, but the toys and the nursing exhibits were delightful!
The Miss Curity character was created in 1951 by Bauer & Black as a promotional mascot for their line of Curity first-aid dressings, bandages, and play medical kits.
They called her the "First Lady of First Aid", encouraging young girls to consider nursing careers.
Bauer & Black launched a nationwide advertising campaign offering $25,000 in total prizes (with a $5,000 U.S. Savings Bond grand prize). Parents were invited to send in a snapshot of their daughter using entry blanks and little paper nurse caps that could be picked up at their drugstore.
They also sold "Play Nurse Kits" that included plastic toy medical tools (scissors, watch, thermometer) alongside actual mini Curity first-aid products like gauze, adhesive tape, and cotton balls.
This display included mid-20th-century nursing artifacts, including a 1950s child-sized nurse cape, dress uniform, and cap.. There is a Madame Alexander doll called "Marybel, the Doll That Gets Well." There was a"Dolly's Nurse Kit," "Nurse Nancy" Little Golden Books, and vintage porcelain nurse figurines. There was even a Nurse Piggy (from The Muppets),, and various plush animals outfitted in red cross uniforms and nursing caps.
Poster Text
- Lost Art of Nursing Museum Plaque Text
My museum was open from 2013–2023. The most frequent words in the guest book were amazing, awesome, inspiring, excellent, enjoyable, educational, fabulous, fascinating, fun and WOW! The most frequent phrase was "Thank you! ... for sharing ... for keeping the spirit of nursing alive ... for honoring our profession in such a wonderful way." It was described as a "joy-filled, magical journey through nursing" that brought "a smile to my heart" and "tears to my eyes — I am so proud to be a nurse!" A nursing professor wrote, "This should be a national shrine!" Just when it appeared the collection would have to be dismantled, I offered it a permanent home. Please thank them for stepping up to make sure the art of nursing was not lost. Melodie Chenevert, RN Packrat/Curator Cannon Beach, OR
This gallery wall features American World War I fundraising and recruitment propaganda posters produced for the American Red Cross and related war relief between 1917 and 1918.
Poster Text
- Federal Security Agency, U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
- Become a Nurse
- YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU
- Write Nursing Information Bureau, 1790 Broadway, New York City Plaque Text
Revel in a time when it was bold, noble and patriotic to be a nurse. When nursing was celebrated in song and verse. When world famous artists were commissioned to capture nurses on canvas. When nurses were cover girls, wrote columns for popular magazines and endorsed products. There is history worth repeating and ... A picture is worth a thousand words.
Bottom Left (Wood Frame): A classic depiction of Florence Nightingale ("The Lady with the Lamp") tending to wounded soldiers at night during the Crimean War.
WWI Lantern This was used to look for the wounded on the battlefield. The handle inside slides down and is replaced by a candle. The hope was that having a red cross on all four sides would keep them from being shot.
Artist Unknown Florence Nightingale Marble c. 1880–1900
Florence Nightingale is widely regarded as the founder of modern nursing. She came to prominence while tending to wounded soldiers during the Crimean War (1853-1856). Nightingale was an early proponent of the use of wound dressings to protect, cover and help reduce infections, despite the initial lack of support from surgeons and doctors. She earned the nickname "lady of the lantern" during her service on the battlefields of the Crimean War, as she was frequently seen moving between tents to treat the injured by the light of her lamp. It is for this anecdote that the "capping ceremony" in which graduating nurses participate, includes a small lantern.
The Nightingale Pledge
I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly, to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully. I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug. I will do all in my power to elevate the standard of my profession and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling. With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician in his work and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care.
I recently listened to the audible book WILD SWAN The Story of Florence Nightingale by Patti Callahan. It is a short novella about her younger years and I really enjoyed it, What an incredible lady!
All photos are from my family albums
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