Believe it or not, some people really find going to a dental office as an absurdly frightening experience. (You know who you are… ) But perhaps a look at how dental procedures were done in the 1800s and early 1900s will help alleviate some stress and then, suddenly, that tiny little power drill to remove a cavity won’t seem as intimidating.
Step into a weird and undeniably uncomfortable part of the past when you visit the hidden dental museum in Charleston that showcases everything from a foot-powered dental drill to old tools like a hammer with an ice pick on the other side. If this doesn’t make you appreciate modern dentistry techniques then well, we don’t know what will. Let’s check it out below…
The Macaulay Museum of Dental History is hidden on the MUSC campus at 177 Ashley Avenue in Charleston.
Google Reviews/Andrew Koutroulakis The collection was the lifelong passion of Dr. Neill W. Macaulay who opened the museum featuring his collection back in 1975. The items in this modest little building date back to the Civil War.
Among them are shelves of individual tools and extraction devices. Seen here, is an early version of an operatory. On the left is a foot-powered drill and a battery-operated X-ray device is also included in the display.
Google Reviews/Andrew Koutroulakis
On the shelf of the fold-out desk, early tools for extraction and cleaning are displayed. Note the two ice-pick hammers to the right of the white-handle tools. Yikes!
Google Reviews/Andrew Koutroulakis
The museum is filled with historical memorabilia and books, all from the massive collection of Dr. Macaulay.
TripAdvisor/Terrie J
Several dental office displays represent different eras of dental history.
TripAdvisor/management In this image, Macaulay acquired a circa 1900 dental office. Based on the chair alone, we’d say no, thank you.As if the 1900s display isn’t enough of a thankful reminder of how far dentistry has advanced in the last century…
Macaulay’s collection also includes a Civil-War era traveling dentist’ chair and dental tools case.
The Waring Historical Library We’re not sure exactly what the pulley to the right of the chair is for, but we can be thankful it’s no longer in use in modern dentistry!
Are you intrigued enough to seek out this weird little museum on your next visit to historic Charleston? It’s open Monday through Friday for self-guided tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You’ll need to visit the Waring Historical Library at 175 Ashley Avenue for access to the museum. It’s always best to call ahead for an appointment to make sure staff is available to provide access. The number is (843) 792-2288. Learn more at this link!
Google Reviews/Andrew Koutroulakis
The collection was the lifelong passion of Dr. Neill W. Macaulay who opened the museum featuring his collection back in 1975. The items in this modest little building date back to the Civil War.
TripAdvisor/Terrie J
TripAdvisor/management
In this image, Macaulay acquired a circa 1900 dental office. Based on the chair alone, we’d say no, thank you.As if the 1900s display isn’t enough of a thankful reminder of how far dentistry has advanced in the last century…
The Waring Historical Library
We’re not sure exactly what the pulley to the right of the chair is for, but we can be thankful it’s no longer in use in modern dentistry!
Love wacky and wonderful odd museums? Visit the button museum in Bishopville to see the work of a legendary artist obsessed with covering everyday items with, you guessed it, buttons!
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Address: 177 Ashley Ave, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
