2024-05-01 Finding aid for the John Harris Dental Museum Records Finding aid prepared by Kristin Rodgers, Sarah Kriebel and Anthony Bowersock Medical Heritage Center
376 West 10th Ave, 5th floor Columbus, Ohio 43210
2008 and 2017 Finding aid encoded by Lisa Wood in 2025 Finding aid written in English Overview of the Collection Medical Heritage Center John Harris Dental Museum (Bainbridge, Ohio) John Harris Dental Museum Records 8.0 linear feet The John Harris Dental Museum Records (approximately 8 linear feet) is a compilation of material that documents the Museum’s collections with some information about its history and finances. SPEC.200808.HARRIS The records are in English English 1828-2008 Scope and Content

The John Harris Dental Museum Records (approximately 8 linear feet) is a compilation of material that documents the Museum’s collections with some information about its history and finances.

 Historical Sketch

Dr. John Harris in 1827 pioneered medical education and instructed students in dental procedures in his home in Bainbridge, Ohio. His students became outstanding dentists of the period. Among them were his brother Chapin Harris, founder of the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, and James Taylor who established the Ohio College of Dental Surgery at Cincinnati. Harris’s home, purchased and restored by the Ohio State Dental Society in 1938, was converted into a museum and shrine to preserve for posterity this fine heritage. In 1968 it became the Dr. John Harris Dental Museum Foundation at Bainbridge, Ohio. Because of this, Bainbridge has been designated as the "Cradle of Dentistry".

 Related Collections

The following related collection is part of the Medical Heritage Center archives: Donald F. Bowers, DDS Papers, Spec.201723.Bowers

Statement of Arrangement

This collection is arranged in eight series: Series I: Oversized Series II: Administration Series III: Board Minutes Series IV: Collections Series V: Correspondence Series VI: History Series VII: Media Series VIII: People

Series I: Oversized (2 boxes) contains oversized items that were too large to fit in a standard sized box. These items are arranged by item.

Series II: Administration (0.5 box) contains documentation such as financial statements and information about the operations of the museum. This series is arranged alphabetically.

Series III: Board Minutes (0.5 box) contains materials related to the John Harris Dental Museum Foundation board including its minutes. This series is arranged chronologically.

Series IV: Collections (1/3 box) contains information about the Dental Museum’s collection. This series is arranged alphabetically.

Series V: Correspondence (1/3 box) contains general correspondence to or from members of the Museum Foundation. This series is arranged chronologically.

Series VI: History (1/3 box) contains information about the history of the Museum. This series is arranged alphabetically.

Series VII: Media (2 boxes) contains photographs and slides of the exterior of the museum, signs in Bainbridge and museum displays. Dates for most of the photographs are not known. This series also contains CDs and zip disks. This series is arranged by type of media.

Series VIII: People (1 box) contains information about historical figures in dentistry. This series is arranged alphabetically. One item from this series is located in Series I: Oversized.

 Restrictions on Access

The collection is open to the public and is available for viewing in the Medical Heritage Center. Materials do not circulate and must be used in the supervised reading room. Restrictions, including copyright, may exist and some materials may be too fragile to photocopy or digitize. The MHC charges for duplication services, which must be performed by staff.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], John Harris Dental Museum Records, SPEC.200808.HARRIS, Medical Heritage Center, Health Sciences Library, The Ohio State University.

 Detailed Description of The Collection

Series I: Oversized 1828-1990 1 1 78 R.P.M. Vinyl Record – “Ohio Story” Dentistry’s First Home, Part One November 10, 1947 1 2 78 R.P.M. Vinyl Record – “Ohio Story” Dentistry’s First Home, Part Two November 10, 1947 1 3 Audio Cassette - John Harris October 27, 1989 1 4 Audio Cassette - John Harris May 11, 1990 1 5 Commemorative Plate of Museum 1977 1 6 Encapsulated Advertisement – Dr. West’s Tooth Brush November 1924 1 7 Encapsulated Advertisement – Dr. West’s Tooth Paste September 1929 1 8 Encapsulated Certificate: American College of Dentists, Edward Cook Mills undated 1 9 Encapsulated Certificate (photocopy): Board of Dental Examiners of the State of Ohio to Edward C. Mills May 31, 1892 1 10 Encapsulated Certificate: International College of Dentists to Edward Cook Mills January 21, 1935 1 11 Encapsulated Certificate: Ohio Academy of Medical History, Edward C. Mills April 11, 1953 1 12 Encapsulated Certificate: Professional Interfraternity Council, Ohio State University to Edward C. Mills undated 1 13 Encapsulated Diploma: Wisconsin Dental College, Honorary Diploma to William Wallace 1881 1 14 Encapsulated Enlarged Article (photocopy) – Excerpt from Biographical Sketch published in the Ohio Journal of Dental Science June 1887 1 15 Encapsulated Enlarged Newspaper Article (photocopy) – Announcement in the Ohio State Journal and Columbus Gazette October 14, 1830 1 16 Encapsulated Enlarged Newspaper Article (photocopy) – Announcement in the Supporter and Gazette (Chillicothe) February 21, 1828 1 17 Encapsulated Photograph – Unveiling Memorial Tablet, Bainbridge, Ohio November 30, 1825 1 18 Photograph of Dental Museum undated 2 1 Charles W. Mills (Series VIII: People) 1919-1939 2 2 Artifacts: Pin - Flora undated 2 3 Artifacts: Printing Blocks undated 2 4 Artifacts: Printing Blocks undated 2 5 Artifacts: Scrapbook 1864-1943 Series II: Administration 1967-2008 3 1 Belleville Productions Inc. 1998 3 2 Caretaker Job Description 1982 3 3 Close Out of Museum 1998, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2008 3 4 Code of Regulations 1967, 1968, 1972, 1982, 2006, 2007 3 5 Color Schedule 1984 3 6 Consultant Reports 1981-1983 3 7 Donations 1985-1989 3 8 Financial Statements 1960s 3 9 Financial Statements 1970s 3 10 Financial Statements 1980s 3 11 Financial Statements 1990s 3 12 Financial Statements 2000-2007 3 13 Fundraising 1986-1995 3 14 Grant Application 1976 3 15 Grant Application 1991 3 16 Harris House Lease 2000, 2002, 2004 3 17 Insurance 1987 3 18 Internship Summary 1996 3 19 IRS Forms 1973 3 20 Life Members and Endowments 1974-1975 3 21 Loan Agreement February 1982 3 22 Museum Project, Request for Funds undated 3 23 Museum Volunteer Information undated 3 24 Property Transfer from ODA 1998, 2000 3 25 Publishing Agreement 1989 3 26 Purchase Power Property 1966, 1968 3 27 Rental Agreements 1990-1994 3 28 Resolution October 10, 1980 3 29 Sale Cutright House 1968, 1972 – 1973, 2001 3 30 Volunteer Instructions undated Series III: Board Minutes 1960s-2006 3 31 Annual Reports and Minutes 1960s 3 32 Annual Reports and Minutes 1970s 3 33 Annual Reports and Minutes 1980s 3 34 Annual Reports and Minutes 1980s 3 35 Annual Reports and Minutes 1990s 3 36 Annual Reports and Minutes 1990s 3 37 Annual Reports and Minutes 2000-2006 Series IV: Collections 1972-2008 4 1 Brochures and Membership Cards undated 4 2 Cedar Point Agreement 1986 4 3 Collection Inventory 1996 4 4 Deeds of Gifts 1976-2008 4 5 Deeds of Gifts 1986-1998 4 6 John Harris Inventory 1972 4 7 John Harris Inventory 1996 4 8 John Harris Inventory 2005 4 9 Ohio State University Agreement undated 4 10 Printing Cuts Bainbridge Museum undated 4 11 Study of Museum 1981 4 12 Study of Museum 1989 4 13 University of Maryland Collections Purchase 1994 Series V: Correspondence 1970s-2000s 4 14 1970s Correspondence 1970s 4 15 1980s Correspondence 1980s 4 16 1990s Correspondence 1990s 4 17 2000s Correspondence 2000s 4 18 Undated Correspondence undated 4 19 Correspondence regarding Commemorative Plate 1976-1979 Series VI: History 1930-2006 4 20 Articles about the Museum 1938-1998 4 21 Articles about the Museum 1940-2006 4 22 Harris Memorial Committee 1930-1945 4 23 Historical Notes Relative to John Harris with His Office and Students undated 4 24 History of John Harris Dental Museum undated 4 25 The John Harris Museum Virtual Tour 2001 4 26 Owners Harris House 1966 4 27 Pamphlet: Ohio's Historic Museums undated 4 28 Pamphlet: The Sky Line Drives of Paint Valley undated 4 29 Publication: Bainbridge Cradle of Dentistry, Earl G. Jones December 1963 Series VII: Media 2000-2004 5 1 CD: John Harris Dental Museum Test Program 2000 5 2 CD: Miller Statue on Oval undated 5 3 CD: Miller Translation undated 5 4 CD: Photos Harris Home 2004 5 5 CD: W.D. Miller Grave Alexandria, Ohio 2003 5 6 CD: W.D. Miller Monument Dedication undated 5 7 CD: W.D. Miller Pictures from Dr. Felix Blankenstein undated 5 8 Zip Disk: Miller Article undated 5 9 Zip Disk: W.D. Miller undated 6 1 Museum Exterior various 6 2 Museum Collections various 6 3 Slides various Series VIII: People 1865-2001 7 1 Edward Cook Mills 1865-1949 7 2 Edward Cook Mills 1884 7 3 Edward Cook Mills 1904-1940 7 4 Edward Cook Mills 1905-1958 7 5 Edward Cook Mills 1912-1954 7 6 Edward Cook Mills 1915-1939 7 7 Edward Cook Mills 1934-1946 7 8 Levitt Ellsworth Luster 1924-1940 7 9 William T. Wallace 1904-1905 7 10 William T. Wallace 1905-1947 7 11 Willoughby Dayton Miller 1876, 1968 7 12 Willoughby Dayton Miller 1891-1981 7 13 Willoughby Dayton Miller 1907-1980 7 14 Willoughby Dayton Miller 1907-2001 7 15 Willoughby Dayton Miller 1963