The Iowa State University Museum of Veterinary Medicine
The R. Allen Packer Heritage Room is a museum of historical veterinary medicine. The Packer Heritage Room is named in memory of Dr. R. Allen Packer, renowned microbiologist and distinguished professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine from 1942 to 1985. Following retirement, he continued in voluntary service, teaching veterinary history and collecting historical veterinary memorabilia.
The Heritage Room has a collection of more then 2,000 books and periodicals in veterinary medicine emphasizing the period from the late 1700s through the mid-1900s. More than 75 books authored or edited by Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine faculty, and over 50 popular readings in veterinary medicine, many of them by alumni, are featured. Ten sets of course notes by students from 1906-1960 comprise a summary of teaching by college faculty.
The roles of Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine in the eradication of hog cholera, bovine tuberculosis, brucellosis and pseudorabies over the past century are shown in diagnostic reports, graphs, tables and narratives. The national development of veterinary public health is described through interviews with pioneering veterinarians who have received Gold Headed Cane awards.
Veterinary artworks form displays, the centerpiece being a 130 pound solid jade carving of a mother sow and her 12 baby pigs. Another major artwork piece is the limited bronze casting of Christian Petersen’s ‘Pegasus.’ Veterinary porcelain figurines, African and Asian animal carvings, and a number of pewter and bronze castings and marble carvings are also exhibited.