Harris Dental Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Dr. John Harris Dental School
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Front of the museum
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | Main Street (US 50), Bainbridge, Ohio |
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| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1815 |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001521 |
| Added to NRHP | July 23, 1973 |
Imagine a time when dentists learned their skills in a small house! The Harris Dental Museum is a special brick building in Bainbridge, Ohio. It was built in 1815 as a home. Later, it became the very first dental school in the United States. Today, it's a museum where you can learn about the history of dentistry.
Contents
Meet Dr. John Harris: A Pioneer in Dentistry
Dr. John Harris was a very important person in the history of dentistry. He was born in Pompey, New York. In 1819, he moved to Ohio and started practicing medicine. He was especially interested in dental work.
How Dr. Harris Started a Dental School
Dr. Harris moved to Bainbridge and began teaching young doctors. Unlike many teachers back then, he focused a lot on dentistry. He believed that dental care was very important.
Dr. Harris's Lasting Impact
Many of Dr. Harris's students became famous dentists themselves. They helped start even more dental schools. One of his students was his own brother, Chapin A. Harris. Chapin later founded the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery. This was the first official dental college in the United States.
Because of his dedication to teaching dentistry, Dr. John Harris is known as the "father of American dental education."
The Museum Today
The Ohio Dental Association bought Dr. Harris's old dental school in 1938. They worked hard to restore it to look almost exactly as it did long ago. In 1968, it opened as the Dr. John Harris Dental Museum.
What You Can See at the Museum
Today, the museum offers tours to visitors. You can explore the building where dental students once learned their craft. It's a great way to see how dentistry began in America.
A Historic Building
The Harris Dental Museum is a small brick building. It has one story and a special "L" shaped section on one side. The roof is made of asphalt.
Recognized for Its History
Because of its important history, the dental school was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. It is listed as the "Dr. John Harris Dental School." This means it's a very important historical site in Ohio.
Images for kids
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Plaque dedicated on November 24, 1940, on the front of museum.
