Museum Hours
Contact
Directions
Research Policy and Procedures
Mission Statement
Camera Use Policy
Admission
Group Tours
Collection Policy
Job Opportunities
The Museum is open to the public by appointment.
Street Address:
655 Wick Avenue
Youngstown, OH 44555
Mailing Address:
Rose Melnick Medical Museum
Youngstown State University
One University Plaza
Youngstown, OH 44555
Phone (Receptionist/Information Line):
330-941-4661
Phone (Director/Curator’s Office):
330-941-4662
Fax:
330-941-3734
Email:
clnespor@ysu.edu
Research Policy and Procedures
The Rose Melnick Medical Museum is pleased to provide diverse research opportunities in the history of medicine through use of its artifact, manuscript, image, and library collections. Students, scholars, and members the general public are welcome to use our research facilities. The Museum’s collections consist of approximately 5,000 volumes of old and rare medical books, videos, slides, and microscope slides. The archival collections consist mostly of papers, diaries, documents, photographs, and newspaper clippings relating to medical practice and medical practitioners of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. The Museum’s library houses historical books on a variety of medical subjects and a complete set of the Bulletin of the Mahoning County Medical Society.
All on-site research is by appointment only. Please call 330-941-6442 or email clnespor@ysu.edu to schedule.
The following policies ensure the protection of the collections from damage or theft. Users of the collections must adhere to all policies in order to access the materials in the Museum. The Museum staff has the right to enforce all policies written in this document. We also reserve the right to add additional policies or change the following policies at any time if deemed necessary. If a patron disregards or violates any policy, the Museum staff may deny that patron access to the collections and/or ask him or her to exit the premises.
- Food and beverages (including water) are not permitted around the collections. They attract bugs, rodents, and other critters who not only eat the food and drink left behind, but also devour paper-based materials and the adhesives used in some book bindings. In addition, food and beverages can easily be spilled or dropped onto valuable artifacts, thereby damaging or destroying the materials.
- Many of the holdings in the Museum’s collections are extremely fragile. Please handle all materials with extra care and take any necessary precautions when handling any artifact.
- Depending on the nature of the material, the Curator may require patrons to wash their hands and/or wear white cotton gloves when handling certain materials. The oils, chemicals, acid, and dirt in our hands can be detrimental to some museum objects.
- Access to storage units is prohibited. The Curator will retrieve and transport materials to your work area within the library.
- Bags, briefcases, purses, knapsacks, and other personal belongings are not to be taken into the library/research area. These items can be left at the front desk with the receptionist.
- The Curator will determine how many materials can be viewed by a patron at one time (usually one box at a time).
- Please use pencil to take notes. The use of pens in the library/research area is prohibited. Pens can cause permanent damage if they come in contact with museum items. In addition, do not write on, write in, tape, or use Post-it notes on books, archival materials, and artifacts.
In addition, Museum staff are happy to answer e-mail and telephone reference questions. You can contact the Museum by telephone at 330-941-4662 or email clnespor@ysu.edu.
In support of Youngstown State University’s mission to enrich the cultural environment create diverse educational experiences and engage the surrounding community, the Rose Melnick Medical Museum is dedicated to the collection and preservation of objects that document the history of medicine (including dentistry, nursing, and pharmacy), especially as it relates to Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley in the 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. Through its exhibits, educational programs, and public events, the Museum provides a greater understanding and appreciation of medicine to the academic community, students and practitioners of the medical profession, and the general public. The Museum also provides diverse research opportunities in the history of medicine through use of its artifact, manuscript, image, and library collections.
Photography without a flash is permitted of objects from the Museum’s permanent collection. Artifacts on loan or in special exhibitions may not be photographed. Such photography must be for personal use only.
Flash photography, tripods, and video cameras are not permitted.
For further information regarding publishing, commercial, media, or educational applications please contact the Museum at 330-941-4662.
The Rose Melnick Medical Museum is free to the public, although monetary donations are accepted.
The Museum Curator is available to give guided tours for groups. Please schedule an appointment at least two weeks in advance. Appointments may also be made to view the exhibits on a self-guided tour for groups of less than 10 people.
Please call the Museum at 330-941-4662 to schedule an appointment.
The Rose Melnick Medical Museum (the “Museum”) actively seeks and collects rare and unique medical artifacts including:
• tools, equipment, and supplies used in patient treatment and research;
• books and catalogs;
• archival materials such as journals, diaries, photographs, and the records of individuals or medical organizations.
In particular, the Museum is interested in materials that document the history of medicine in the Mahoning Valley (Mahoning, Trumbull, and Columbiana Counties) during the 18th, 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. Materials that do not fit the scope of our collection, that are duplicates of other museum materials, that cannot be stored properly in the Museum, or are in poor condition may be declined. The decision to accept a donation will be made by the Curator of the Rose Melnick Medical Museum in consultation with the Youngstown State University Archivist and other relevant specialists if necessary.
The Curator (or any other member of the Museum staff) cannot, and will not, appraise gifts for monetary value.
The Museum accepts objects as donations only. Donations to the Museum are subject to the following agreements:
1. Due to limited gallery space and the policy of changing exhibits, the Museum cannot promise the permanent exhibition of any object.
2. All accepted items become the permanent property of the Museum and are given without restrictions on use.
3. If the gift includes several items, the Museum cannot promise to keep the items together as a unit at all times.
4. This unrestricted gift is given with the understanding that the individual items will be used in whatever manner will best benefit the Museum.
The Rose Melnick Medical Museum typically employs one part-time Curatorial Assistant, who must be a student of Youngstown State University in good standing. Interested students can fill out an application at the William F. Maag Library at Youngstown State University or contact the Museum at 330-941-4662 for further information.
Internship Opportunities
Internships are available for students of Youngstown State University and surrounding colleges. Internships can be either credit or non-credit, but in no way can the Museum compensate student interns. Museum staff prefer students in the field of history; however, other disciplines such as art history, medicine, and nursing will be considered.
