By Tara Sims, Archivist and Special Collections Librarian After nearly three years of sustained archival work, the John P. McGovern, M.D. Papers (MS 115) are now fully processed, described, and searchable through the John P. McGovern Historical Collections and Research Center’s online catalog at the Houston Academy of Medicine–Texas Medical Center Library. Researchers anywhere in […]
By Kelsey Koym, Archivist and Special Collections Librarian Introduction This blog post is about the provenance of McGovern Historical Center’s copy of the first edition of Andreas Vesalius’ De Humani Corporis Fabrica Libri Septem (De Humani), or “On the Structure of the Human Body in Seven Books,” published in 1543. Before this investigation, McGovern was […]
By Kelsey Koym, Archivist and Special Collections Librarian at McGovern Historical Center Introduction Every year the McGovern Historical Center staff spends a week in the Rare Book Room during the Christmas season, taking care of administrative and preservation tasks. McGovern houses a valuable series of collections, and these tasks are prioritized to ensure the longevity of these historical artifacts. […]
By Tara Sims, Archivist and Special Collections Librarian At first glance, this manuscript appears to be a quiet, little book—small, battered, and difficult to read. Located in the Texas Medical Center’s Rare Book Room vault, where the library’s most valuable and rare books are stored, this manuscript had little to no documentation regarding either the […]
By Tara Sims, Archivist and Special Collections Librarian Among the John P. McGovern, MD Papers are a small group of handmade Valentine’s Day cards created by John P. McGovern when he was a child. Cut from colored paper, carefully assembled, and signed simply “Jack,” these valentines were made for his mother, Lottie Brown McGovern. Their […]
By Tara Sims, Archivist & Special Collections Librarian — National Archives Month, 2025. Rewind In 1981, the Texas Medical Center institutions gathered to celebrate Dr. McGovern’s remarkable contributions to medicine, medical education, philanthropy, and to Houston itself. The occasion was an Appreciations Dinner held on May 5 in the ballroom of The Doctors’ Club of […]
By Kelsey Koym, Archivist and Special Collections Librarian This post is an exciting announcement that the photos used in the Centennial Hermann Hospital Exhibit taken from IC 086 Hermann Hospital Records are now in McGovern Historical Center’s online portal AToM. There are a few early pictures worth highlighting about the patients and staff of Hermann […]
By Sandra Yates, Head of McGovern Historical Center We have some exciting events during the week of October 13 – 17, 2025. Join us for: Ask an Archivist Booth: 10 AM – 2 PM From 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Archivists from the McGovern Historical Center will be in the main library to share interesting […]
By Sandra Yates, Head of McGovern Historical Center The TMC Library is celebrating Archives Month with our Adopt a Box campaign. You can help the McGovern Historical Center secure the history of the Texas Medical Center by adopting a box. During October, every tax-deductible gift of $50 or more will get your name permanently inscribed […]
By Sandra Yates, Head of McGovern Historical Center Happy Archives Month to everyone. October is a month to reflect and give back to all the history makers out there. That’s you! Here are a few ways that we’re celebrating this year: […]