Our History and Name

The library of the Hartford Medical Society was originally founded in the 1840's as the Journal Association when the materials for the collection were acquired from the Hopkins Society. In 1889, the Journal Association became part of the Hartford Medical Society when the Society became incorporated.

It was not until 1938 that the library was dedicated and received the name "The Walter R. Steiner Library". This name was given in recognition of the 35 years of devotion and collection development that Dr. Steiner, the 1936 President of the MLA, gave the library. Dr. Steiner believed in the Osler precept..."that the doctor should remain a student all of his days".

The Collection

The treasures of The Walter R. Steiner Library collection include the 22 manuscripts of the 1660-1730's by Gershom Bulkeley, an eminent cleric-physician in Connecticut. It also includes dissertations delivered at the first meetings of the Connecticut State Medical Society, account books of 19th century physicians, Horace Wells' Day Book and pamphlets on anesthesia that form the Anesthesia Collection, and many journals from their first volumes. There is a collection of Hartford & Connecticut medical imprints as well.

The lessons of past generations are always important. They are recorded but often hidden in various collections such as ours. We hold the handwritten minutes of the Society meetings 1846 to date, transactions of the Connecticut State Medical Society 1792-1936, case records of the Hartford Dispensary 1884-1906 and some notebooks for lectures at Yale from 1819-1836.

The details on the journal collection may be found through our listing in the Connecticut Union List of Serials that is on OCLC.

We always welcome visitors from the community.