American Association for the History of Nursing
Founded: 1978 as a historical methodology group, the association was briefly named the International History of Nursing Society. The purpose of the Association is to foster the importance of history as relevant to understanding the past, defining the present, and influencing the future of nursing by:
- Fostering interdisciplinary collaboration in history.
- Stimulating national and international interest and collaboration in the history of nursing;
- Educating nurses and the public regarding the history and heritage of the nursing profession;
- Encouraging and supporting research in the history of nursing and recognizing outstanding scholarly achievement in nursing history;
- Encouraging the collection, preservation, and use of materials of historical importance to nursing;
- Serving as a resource for information about nursing history;
- Producing and distributing educational materials related to the history and heritage of the nursing profession;
- Promoting the inclusion of nursing history in nursing curricula;
Barbara Bates Center for the Study of the History of Nursing (University of Pennsylvania)
Founded: 1985 with the priority to increase knowledge about the history of nursing and healthcare and to use historical knowledge in crafting effective health policies and patient care strategies. (more information)
Through its extensive collections, fellowships, and curricula opportunities, the Barbara Bates Center provides considerable evidence for scholars and students to question traditional disciplinary paradigms; to give voice to the historical power of nursing; and to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of local and global approaches to issues of health and illness.
The Barbara Bates Center is a committed partner in preserving all voices of nursing history, opening access to collection materials, and growing our digitized collections and sites. To support our efforts individuals can contribute funds, donate personal papers, and volunteer time. (From the Center website)
Eleanor Crowder Bjoring Center for Nursing Historical Inquiry (University of Virginia)
Founded : 1991 to support historical scholarship in nursing. Dedicated to the preservation and study of nursing history, the Bjoring Center collects historical materials, promotes nursing history scholarship, and disseminates historical research findings.
The center hosts a regular series of nursing history forums, sponsors an annual Agnes Dillon Randolph Award and lecture, awards annual research fellowships, and publishes a newsletter. Read our special 30th-anniversary publication, Object Lessons.
The center is open to researchers and visitors Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., or at other times by appointment. Please contact the center to schedule an appointment.