The Country Doctor
Museum in Bailey, N.C., is the oldest museum in the United States dedicated to the history of
America’s rural health care. Over the decades, the Museum’s collection has grown to more than 5,000 medical artifacts relevant to the practice of medicine between the
late 18th century and the first half of the 20th century, as well as many
volumes of historic texts gathered from across the nation. The interpretive
range also expanded from rural doctors to include topics such as nursing,
pharmaceuticals and home remedies.
Docents
lead tours through three buildings of exhibits and are available to answer
questions. Visitors start their tour at the Farmer Annex, a late 1800’s farm
house now home to the Museum’s gift shop, administrative offices and keeping
room.
The original Museum building is comprised of two former country doctor
offices, and the medicinal herb garden is located behind this building. The
Carriage House features the Museum’s transportation exhibit, as well as the
display “The Art of Nursing.”
You are invited
to visit The Country Doctor Museum for a unique experience discovering the
challenges and triumphs of
healthcare and medicine in early rural America.
The Country Doctor Museum is open year-round Tuesday through Saturday, except majorholidays and during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. All tours
are guided and available every hour on the hour from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
N.C., at the SR 581
exit off Highway 264 between Raleigh and Wilson.
Adults – $5.00, Seniors
(55+) – $4.00, Youth (age 3-18) and students with valid school ID – $3.00.
Click here for more information.
(All photos courtesy The Country Doctor Museum.)
