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MGH History


Ether Dome in the Bulfinch Building Source

Ether Dome:

The Ether Dome was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965. It is located on the fourth floor of the Bulfinch Building.

The Ether Dome at Mass General

The Ether Dome


Oil Painting, 
“Ether Day 1846” by Warren and Lucia Prosperi:

Creating the Ether Dome painting

Ether Day 1846

From Medicine to Art: The Creation of “Ether Day 1846” (YouTube video)

Desai SP, Desai MS, Maddi R, Battit GE. A tale of two paintings: depictions of the first public demonstration of ether anesthesia. Anesthesiology. 2007 May;106(5):1046-50. PubMed PMID: 17457138.


​Padihershef (the MGH mummy from Thebes, Egypt):

Description of an Egyptian mummy, presented to the Massachusetts General Hospital : with an account of the operation of embalming, in ancient and modern times

The Case of the Ether Dome Mummy

From Egypt to the Ether Dome

Padihershef Mummy Conservation Project

Padihershef: The MGH Mummy (YouTube video)

Uncovering the Life of Padihershef


Apollo Belvedere:

This plaster copy of the original was donated by Edward Everett in 1845.

The original is located at the Vatican.


Brass Plaques