ONHM's Mission and Vision

The Office of NIH History and Stetten Museum (ONHM) was established in 1986 to increase historical understanding of the National Institutes of Health and biomedical science among scholars, NIH staff, and the general public.

MissionThe Office of NIH History and Stetten Museum (ONHM) aims to advance the historical understanding of biomedical research conducted at NIH by documenting, preserving, and making accessible the history of significant NIH achievements, scientists, staff, programs, and policies. In support of the NIH mission, ONHM conserves and provides broad access to historical evidence while offering well-documented accounts of NIH’s long drive to turn discovery into health.VisionONHM serves as a national and international hub for the exploration and sharing of NIH history. It brings together the agency’s resources, research, and projects, including those of its Institutes, Centers, Offices (ICOs), and programs, as well as relevant links to external sources. ONHM focuses specifically on NIH: its people, facilities, and resources; its contributions to national and international research initiatives; its interactions with scientific and educational institutions and technology innovation centers; and its policies, decisions, and infrastructure. It also focuses on the lived experience of its researchers, staff, and patients in the context of the contemporary history of biomedical science and its applications in medicine and public health. Among its many activities, ONHM primarily conserves historically interesting documents, photos, and other objects that illustrate NIH’s rich and ongoing history; collects and preserves an extensive array of oral histories from not just eminent researchers but also individuals who ensure NIH's day-to-day operations; produces high-quality historical research; and aids and assists scholars and other researchers.