Dr. John Harris Dental School | |
 Front of the museum | |
   | |
| Location | Main Street (US 50),Bainbridge,Ohio |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 39°13′38″N83°16′21″W / 39.22722°N 83.27250°W /39.22722; -83.27250 |
| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1815 |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001521[1] |
| Added to NRHP | July 23, 1973 |
TheHarris Dental Museum is a small brick building in the village ofBainbridge inRoss County,Ohio,United States.[1] Built as a residence in 1815, it once housed the firstdental school in the United States, and it is now operated as a museum.[2]
A native ofPompey, New York, John Harris settled in the Ohio community of Madison in 1819; after practicing medicine with aspecialty in dental work, he moved to Bainbridge and soon embarked on training young doctors.[2] Unlike most teachers of medicine at this time, Harris paid great attention to dentistry. In later years, his students continued his enthusiasm for the subject by establishing several more permanent dental schools; among these students was his brotherChapin, who founded theBaltimore College of Dental Surgery, the first formal dental college in the United States. Today, Harris is recognized as the pioneer of American dental education because of his emphasis on teaching dentistry,[3] and his former dental school is a museum operated by the Ohio Dental Association.[2] Purchased by the association in 1938, it opened as a museum in 1968 as the Dr. John Harris Dental Museum.[4] As such, it has been restored to an almost original condition, and tours are given to members of the public.[2]
The museum structure is a small brick building on Bainbridge's western side. Onestory tall with anell on one side,[2] it is covered with an asphalt roof.[5] In recognition of its historic significance, the dental school was listed on theNational Register of Historic Places in 1973 under the name of "Dr. John Harris Dental School." One of four places in or around Bainbridge to be included on the Register,[1] it has been rated as being significant throughoutOhio's history.[5]
