The Strauss Health Sciences Library at CU’s Anschutz Medical Campus has a large collection of medical artifacts, consisting of a wide range of objects, dating from the 19th century. The collection consists of physical and archival artifacts. 

The collection was originally a small group of 160 items that were found in a locked workroom at the Denison Memorial Library. Since moving to the Strauss Health Sciences Library, the collection has grown, thanks to a significant donation by Dr. Robert H. Shikes in 2015.  Dr. Shikes is professor emeritus in the Pathology Department of the CU School of Medicine. In addition to many books on medicine, he is also the author of three historical works, including two histories of the University of Colorado School of Medicine, which he co-authored with Dr. Henry Claman. Dr. Shikes collected medical related artifacts for many years and his donation includes thousands of items, which are currently being cataloged. Included in the collection are archival items, including medical lecture tickets, pamphlets, postcards, and medical advertising. Several of the items are being digitized and added to CU Anschutz Digital Collections, the library’s digital repository.

Additional donations from Dr. Carl Bartecchi, The School of Medicine Dean’s Office, the former Presbyterian/ St Luke’s hospital, and others have added new items to the collection over the years.

The collection is available for research by appointment only. Please contact Yumin Jiang by email at yumin.jiang@cuanschutz.edu or by phone at 303-724-2137.

A small collection of medical artifacts can be made available for institutional loans. Click here to see the Lending of Collection Artifacts & Archival Materials policy.

To request copies of images from our collections, click here to access the online request form.