Duke Medical Center Archives Blog Category: News
A Year in Review: 2025 Additions to the Duke University Medical Center Archives
Posted On: December 16, 2025 by Rebecca Williams
The Duke University Medical Center Archives (DUMCA) actively collects the official records of the DUMC and DUHS departments and divisions, including a variety of materials that provide evidence of business, interests, and activities through the years. In doing so, the DUMCA serves as the institutional memory of the DUMC and DUHS by collecting, preserving, and making accessible materials that provide evidence of day to operations. Guided by our collection development policy, we strive to document the intellectual, administrative, social, cultural, and visual history of the DUMC and DUHS in order to provide evidence of past actions and contribute to an understanding of the structure and history of the DUMC and DUHS.
See below for a listing of materials added to the DUMCA. The types… MORE
Category: News
November 17, 1975: Opening day at the Duke University Medical Center Library
Posted On: November 17, 2025 by Rebecca Williams
Fifty years ago today, the ribbon was cut in the doorway of the new Medical Center Library space in the Seeley G. Mudd Building. Prior to this date, the library was housed in the basement of the Duke Hospital. The interiors of the building have changed since 1975 as well as the area that surrounds the library. To celebrate the 50th birthday of our building, we are sharing some photos of our library from 1975 and from today in 2025!
Then and Now: Entrance to the Library
Then and Now: 1st floor
Then and Now: 1st Floor Reading Room
Then and Now: Lobby Area
Then and Now: Stairs to Second Floor
Then and Now:… MORE
Category: News
At Your Service Exhibit Now on Display!
Posted On: November 5, 2025 by Rebecca Williams
At Your Service: Duke's Civilian Public Service Camp #61
The Josiah Charles Trent History of Medicine Room
On Display October 21, 2025 – May 3, 2026
On October 16, 1940, the Civilian Public Service (CPS) was established as an alternative to military conscription for conscientious objectors. These men who declined military service due to religious beliefs were placed in CPS camps, or units, across the United States and given jobs on the home front to help support the war effort. They worked in soil conservation, forestry, firefighting, agriculture, social services, and mental health. In all, there were 152… MORE
Category: News
Remembering Dr. E. Harvey Estes
Posted On: November 3, 2025 by Rebecca Williams
The Duke Community was saddened to learn of the recent passing of Dr. E. Harvey Estes. He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of leadership, advocacy, and commitment to care.
Dr. Edward Harvey Estes Jr., MD was born May 1, 1925 in Gay, Georgia. He graduated from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia (1944, BA; 1947, MD). He began his medical internship at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta and completed it at Duke University Hospital. Prior to joining Duke's staff in 1953, Estes served in the United States Navy from 1950 to 1952. He became chief of the cardiology service at Durham Veterans Affairs Hospital from 1953 to 1954 and chief of the medical service at the Durham Veterans Affairs Hospital from 1956 to 1962. In 1966, Estes was appointed Chair of the newly created… MORE
Category: News
It Came from the Archives! Halloween Highlights from the Duke Medical Center Archives
Posted On: October 20, 2025 by Rebecca Williams
Location: Medical Center Library & Archives, Room 212E
Date: Friday, October 31, 11am – 2pm
Please join us for the Duke University Medical Center Archives’ annual Halloween event! This casual open house event will feature a selection of odd, intriguing, and significant materials from our collections.
All are invited to drop in to view detailed medical illustrations, touch old medical instruments, explore forgotten stories from the history of Duke Health, and much more.
Come by for a fun break to learn some history and enjoy free Halloween candy!
Category: News
October is Archives Month
Posted On: October 2, 2025 by Rebecca Williams
Archives Month is an annual, month-long observance of the agencies and people responsible for maintaining and making available the archival and historical records of our nation, state, communities, and people. Archives serve as the memory of our nation, and by celebrating, we recognize and give legitimacy to the enduring value of American records and America’s archives.
We encourage you to check out our Instagram account where we'll be highlighting treasures from the Medical Center Archives collection all month long.
This year the Society of North Carolina Archivists' theme for Archives Month is “North Carolina's 250th”. As the nation approaches its 250th birthday, North Carolina archivists are celebrating the… MORE
Category: News
Check out our videos on YouTube!
Posted On: July 1, 2025 by Rebecca Williams
Did you know that we have a Youtube channel?! You can find the Duke University Medical Center Library & Archives on Youtube @dukemedlib. Our channel features a variety of videos and guides on a wealth of topics available to view any time!
We have a popular series of videos that explain what a record is and then outline the process of transferring records to our collections.
This summer we published a new video: Archives Research: Getting Started! This short video gives an overview of archives in… MORE
Category: News
Faces of Duke Health Digital Exhibit Now Online
Posted On: May 23, 2025 by Rebecca Williams
Last fall we unveiled the exhibit, Faces of Duke Health, which celebrates the diverse roles that contribute to the Duke Health community.
We are happy to announce that digital version is now available online.
This ongoing exhibit series highlights the often-overlooked departments and variety of roles and expertise essential to the daily operations of a health system. Environmental Services is the first department featured in this exhibit, but we plan to continue highlighting different departments and expanding the exhibit.
Category: News
Farewell to Emma Eubank
Posted On: April 18, 2025 by Rebecca Williams
Emma Eubank joined the Medical Center Archives as an Intern in August 2023. Emma left in March of this year to begin her career in libraries and archives. Before she left, we asked her a few questions about herself, her time at the Archives, and her career goals. Her answers are below.
School, degree, and expected graduation date?
UNC at Chapel Hill SILS program; MSLS with Archives and Records Management concentration with the expected graduation date of August 2025
What did you do during your internship?
The Duke University Medical Center Archives (DUMCA) offers graduate interns the opportunity to do a little of everything. During my two years with DUMCA, I processed diverse accessions to the collections; developed… MORE
Category: News
E is for ESP Exhibit Currently on View
Posted On: February 19, 2025 by Rebecca Williams
Museum of Durham History Presents E is for ESP
On Display
February 18th- March 18th
Duke University Medical Center Library, Level 3
The Medical Center Library & Archives is happy to host another traveling exhibit from the Museum of Durham History (MoDH). As part of continuing programming for their current exhibit, 100 Year of Duke: Names to Remember, the MoDH developed a traveling version of E is for ESP. Originally part of the Durham A-Z series, this exhibit explores the legacy of JB and Louisa Rhine, and the Duke Parapsychology Department in the 20th century. Keep an eye out for the next location!
Category: News
Aspirin Exhibit Currently On View
Posted On: January 8, 2025 by Rebecca Williams
Take Two and Call Me in the Morning: The Story of Aspirin
Medical Center Library & Archives - Level 3
NLM Exhibit on Display until February 15, 2025
The Medical Center Library is hosting “Take Two and Call Me in the Morning: The Story of Aspirin,” a six-banner traveling exhibition. Developed and produced by the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, it chronicles the history of the ubiquitous wonder drug, from its ancient origins to the present day. For centuries, physicians and healers used willow bark to alleviate pain and… MORE
Category: News
Medical Center Library & Archives Snapshot 2024
Posted On: December 16, 2024 by Rebecca Williams
Learn more about the activities and accomplishments of the Medical Center Library & Archives in our 2024 Annual Snapshot.
We deliver collections, foster lifelong learning, capture institutional history, create connections, and promote discovery and inquiry. Our staff are our best resource and can guide you to the information you need for research, learning, and clinical care.
Category: News
Digital Resource Spotlight: Intercom
Posted On: November 19, 2024 by Rebecca Williams
The Medical Center Archives is always happy to welcome researchers to view materials in our reading room, but we recognize that it is not always possible for everyone to visit our physical location! The Archives has a variety of online resources to help users learn about the collections and the Medical Center’s history. One particularly great resource that we would like to highlight is digitized issues of Intercom.
Duke Medicine’s primary news publication from 1953 to 1986, the Intercom featured information about campus construction and events, faculty and staff news, facts and figures, and articles about medical research and innovations at Duke. The first 25 years of the publication were digitized by the… MORE
Category: News
Faces of Duke Health Exhibit Now On Display!
Posted On: October 16, 2024 by Rebecca Williams
Faces of Duke Health: Environmental Services (EVS)
Medical Center Library & Archives - Level 1
On Display: October 2024-January 2025
Medical Center Library & Archives - Level 1
On Display: October 2024-January 2025
The Medical Center Library & Archives is excited to introduce a new exhibit, Faces of Duke Health, which celebrates the diverse roles that contribute to the Duke Health community. Kicking off the series, the exhibit will spotlight Environmental Services (EVS), including our own Library EVS staff, and offer a glimpse into the history of EVS at Duke.
Category: News
It Came from the Archives! Halloween Highlights from the Duke Medical Center Archives
Posted On: October 9, 2024 by Rebecca Williams
It Came from the Archives! Halloween Highlights from the Duke Medical Center Archives
Location: Medical Center Library & Archives, Level 1
Date: Thursday, October 31, 11am – 2pm
Please join us for the Duke University Medical Center Archives’ annual Halloween event! This casual open house event will feature a selection of odd, intriguing, and significant materials from our collections.
All are invited to drop in to view detailed medical illustrations, touch old medical instruments, explore forgotten stories from the history of Duke Health, and much more.
Come by for a fun break to learn some history and… MORE
Category: News