Homecoming weekend is full of reunions, football and dental
artifacts. During the week of Oct. 12 to 17, the University of Nebraska
Medical Center College of Dentistry will open its museum for a one-week,
free, public viewing. The museum is located in room 31 in the College of
Dentistry at 40th and Holdrege streets in Lincoln.
The museum, which opened in 1977, houses the largest collection
of dental artifacts in the Midwest and includes artifacts from the 1850s
to 1930s. It consists of five period dental offices from the 1870s to the
1930s, a laboratory display and a wide array of medical and dental instruments.
Financial support from the college of dentistry alumni allows
us to occasionally purchase items on the open market, said Stan Harn,
Ph.D., curator of the museum. However, 99 percent of our physical collection
was donated from alumni.
Selected items from the museum are on display throughout the year,
but the entire collection is displayed annually during homecoming week.
A dental office replicating the 1870s and 1880s will open this year and
remain permanently displayed.
We try to show Nebraska dentistry as it would have existed during
that time period. This is really a great opportunity for everyone to experience
the history of dentistry in Nebraska, said Dr. Harn.
The museum hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12 to Friday,
Oct. 16. On two evenings, Wednesday and Thursday, the hours are extended
until 9 p.m. On Saturday, Oct. 17, the hours are 8 a.m. to noon. For more
information on the museum, please contact Dr. Harn at (402) 472-1353.
On Saturday, Oct. 17, the Cruzan Center for Dental Research will open
in Lincoln. The $2.15 million project began in April 1997. Founded in 1899,
the college will celebrate its centennial anniversary on Sept. 17, 1999.
UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the state.
Through its commitment to research, education and patient care, UNMC has
established itself as one of the country’s leading centers for cancer research
and treatment and solid organ transplantation. More than $34 million in
research grants and contracts are awarded to UNMC scientists annually.
In addition, UNMC’s educational programs are responsible for training more
health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution.