Bethesda in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Centennial Anchor
October 16, 1987
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 14, 2013
1. The Centennial Anchor Marker
Inscription.
The Centennial Anchor. October 16, 1987. This centennial anchor, originally from a Coast Guard cutter, rested for many years in front of the Staten Island Marine Hospital where the National Institutes of Health began in 1887 with the founding of the Hygienic Laboratory. It was presented to the NIH on the occasion of the centennial celebration to commemorate a century of science for health and to symbolize the maritime origins of the Public Health Service.
This centennial anchor, originally from a Coast Guard cutter, rested for many years in front of the Staten Island Marine Hospital where the National Institutes of Health began in 1887 with the founding of the Hygienic Laboratory. It was presented to the NIH on the occasion of the centennial celebration to commemorate a century of science for health and to symbolize the maritime origins of the Public Health Service.
Erected 1987 by Public Health Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.
Location. 39° 0.033′ N, 77° 6.021′ W. Marker is in Bethesda, Maryland, in Montgomery County. Marker is at the intersection of South Drive and Center Drive, on the right when traveling west on South Drive. The anchor is in the triangle formed by the intersection of South drive and Center Drive on the NIH campus. (Photo ID is required to enter the campus). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 31 Center Drive, Bethesda MD 20892, United States of America. Touch for directions.
This 1938 plaque inside Building 1 tells the story of NIH from its inception 1887 to its move to Bethesda in 1938.
This Institute is dedicated to the investigation of matters pertaining to the Public Health.
In the year 1887 a bacteriological laboratory was established in the Marine Hospital. New York City. Four years later the laboratory was transferred to Washington and quartered with administrative offices at New Jersey Avenue and B Street, Southeast. In 1901 the Congress appropriated $35,000 for a building for the Hygienic Laboratory which was erected as Twenty-fifth and E Streets, Northwest, on land acquired by transfer from the Navy Department. The establishment on that site was enlarged by on building authorized by Congress in 1918, and two buildings authorized in 1930. In the latter year, by act of Congress, the name was changed to The National Institute of Health.
In the year 1935,Mr. and Mrs. Luke I. Wilson of Bethesda, Maryland. donated a tract of land to the United States Government for the use of the National Institute of Health. In the following year funds were allocated for the construction of buildings on this site. Work was begun on the first three buildings of this group in 1938.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 22, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 690 times since then and 16 times this year. Last updated on October 7, 2013, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 18, 2013, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.