This red-brick structure in Edwardian architectural style was the work of Hong Kong architects in the early 20th century. With a plastered design decorating the elegant ceiling of the front entrance lobby, this three-story museum is a definite eye-catcher.
Constructed in 1905 and opened the year after, it was used for bacteriological examination and was the first purpose-built building for public health in Hong Kong. The government opened this Bacteriological Institute to control the Plague, which broke out in the then City of Victoria (Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay area today), and later produced vaccine at the same premises. Senior students or graduates of Hong Kong College of Medicine were hired to assist government bacteriologists to dissect mice and collect data from them. After WWII, it was renamed the Pathological Institute, and the building was used for medical storage for the Department of Health. It was then converted into the Hong Kong Museum of Medical Science in 1995.
The museum is one of Hong Kong's declared monuments with various galleries in the old laboratory. There is also a 'Class of 63 Gallery' on the first floor, allowing visitors to watch the scenery around the museum. Thus, local and overseas visitors can appreciate both the medical history and advancement of Hong Kong and the unique style of this historic building.
As one of Hong Kong's few independent museums, the Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences provides a stimulating environment for visitors to have a glimpse of Hong Kong's rich medical heritage. Traditional Chinese medicine and Western Scientific Medicine, in-depth understanding of medical history, cultural relics and knowledge in Hong Kong's medical sciences can be found here!
Address: 2 Caine Lane, Mid-Levels, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
Opening Hours and transportation
(The museum will close for urgent internal repairs from 2 July 2021)
Reference
Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences
