Paul S. Russell, MD Museum of Medical History and Innovation

Visit Us

---

---

Plan your visit to the Paul S. Russell, MD Museum of Medical History and Innovation, located on the Massachusetts General Hospital main campus.

Exploring the Russell Museum

The Paul S. Russell, MD Museum of Medical History and Innovation opened in April 2012 showcasing Massachusetts General Hospital's long-standing commitment to innovation. The nearly 8,000-square-foot facility hosts exhibits and programs on medical topics such as:

• The evolution of health care
• Laboratory and clinical research
• Patient and family support

Areas of the Museum

The three levels of the Russell Museum include:

• The Main Gallery, located on the first floor, houses nearly 2,000 square feet of exhibits organized around various medical themes
• The Putnam Gallery, located on the second floor, features rotating exhibits, a portrait gallery and space for lectures, presentations, receptions and other special events
• The Rooftop Garden hosts more than 30 kinds of trees, shrubs, grasses, vines and ground covers along with sweeping views of the Beacon Hill neighborhood and State House dome. It is open year-round

Visiting the Ether Dome

The Ether Dome at Mass General, the site of the first successful public surgery using ether as an anesthetic, is not housed within the museum. The Dome is often used for meetings. To find out when the Dome is not in use, call the museum at 617 724 8009 during its open hours. For a virtual tour of the Dome and the rest of the Bulfinch Building, click here.

Transportation & Parking

We encourage visitors to take public transportation. The museum is a short walk from the Charles/MGH Station on the MBTA Red Line. Parking at Mass General garages is limited to patients, their families and visitors. When visiting the museum, you may use on-street metered parking or nearby parking garages. The museum does not offer validated parking.

Docents & Tours

The museum is largely self-guided, but docents are sometimes available to answer questions and provide a brief overview. 

Groups of 10 or more are requested to make a reservation. Click here for more details.

Accessibility

The museum is fully accessible for people in wheelchairs. Learn more about accessibility at Mass General.

Dining

Mass General has several cafeterias. There are also a number of options on Cambridge Street and Charles Street.