On August 10, 2025, the American Institute of the History of Pharmacy experienced a significant flood that affected collections, workspaces, and daily operations. One year later, we are proud of the progress that has been made and grateful for the support that has helped make that progress possible.
Over the past year, recovery efforts have focused on both restoring physical spaces and improving the long-term care of our collections. Construction and renovation work in affected areas is approaching completion, marking a major milestone in the recovery process. As spaces are returned to use, attention continues to shift toward the careful reorganization and rehousing of collections.
This next phase of recovery includes creating and updating finding aids, reorganizing archival materials, and moving collections into archival-quality shelving designed to provide greater protection and stability. While this work requires significant time and effort, it will leave AIHP with a stronger and more accessible archive than before. Improved description and organization will make it easier for researchers to discover and use our collections, while upgraded storage will help ensure their preservation for years to come.
To document this ongoing journey, AIHP has created a Flood Recovery Timeline highlighting key events, updates, milestones, and recovery efforts from August 2025 to the present. The timeline provides a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and successes of recovery, as well as the work being done to preserve collections, restore spaces, and strengthen AIHP for the future.
The past year has reminded us that preserving history is a community effort. We are deeply grateful to the members, donors, volunteers, partners, and friends who have supported AIHP throughout the recovery process. Your encouragement and generosity have helped us move forward while continuing to care for and share the history of pharmacy.
We invite you to learn more about the recovery effort and explore the milestones that have shaped our journey over the past year.
