Silver Spring might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think about presidential history, preserved brains, or anatomical oddities floating in jars—but that’s exactly what we found when my daughter and I visited the National Museum of Health and Medicine. Tucked away on Linden Lane, this museum is one of the most unusual, unforgettable, and surprisingly educational spots in the area.

A Museum Like No Other

From the moment we stepped through the doors, it was clear this museum wasn’t going to be your standard history experience. It’s a place where science, medicine, and history collide—often in very literal, visceral ways. Some of the first things we saw were preserved organs in jars, medical instruments from the 1800s, and early prosthetic limbs. We stood in front of a conjoined twin specimen preserved in a glass jar and marveled at how far medicine has come, and how strange and fascinating the human body can be.

Then we reached two of the museum’s most famous artifacts: the bullet that killed President Abraham Lincoln and the spinal cord of President James Garfield, complete with the bullet hole from his assassination. It’s sobering to see these pieces of history up close—not behind glass in a textbook, but right in front of you, in all their raw and real detail.

Fascination and a Touch of “Ew!”

My daughter was completely engrossed—and also a little grossed out. And honestly, that’s part of what made the experience so memorable. She walked the line between fascination and mild disgust with surprising grace for a nine-year-old. At one point, while looking at a preserved brain with a visible tumor, she turned to me and said, “That is SO weird… but also kind of cool.”

The museum sparked a lot of interesting conversations. We talked about how people used to treat wounds during the Civil War, why some diseases caused such visible damage to the body, and how surgical tools used to look more like torture devices. She asked questions I wouldn’t have expected from a kid her age—thoughtful, curious, and at times even philosophical.

What impressed me most was how well she handled the “gross factor.” This is not a museum for every kid. Some might be uncomfortable or overwhelmed by the anatomical specimens, the images of injuries, or the preserved body parts. But for children who are curious about how the body works—or who love a good “weird facts” book—it can be a goldmine. Before you go, I definitely recommend gauging your child’s interest in medical science or the slightly macabre. This isn’t a children’s museum full of interactive play zones; it’s a museum that doesn’t shy away from the reality of illness, injury, and anatomy.

Real Learning in Real Time

What I loved about this outing is that it didn’t feel like a lesson—but it absolutely was one. It was a reminder that learning doesn’t always come from worksheets or lectures. Sometimes, it happens when you’re standing in front of a glass case, trying to understand how a single bullet could change the course of American history. Or when you’re looking at the cross-section of a bone and realizing how fragile and strong we are at the same time.

The museum gave us a new appreciation for the human body and a deeper understanding of how far medical science has come—and how far it still has to go. More than that, it gave us shared memories, inside jokes (“Remember the hairball in the jar?”), and an afternoon of meaningful conversation.

Planning Your Visit

The National Museum of Health and Medicine is located at 2500 Linden Lane in Silver Spring, and admission is free. It’s open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and while it’s not huge, you’ll want to give yourself at least an hour or two to explore everything. Again, I’d only recommend it for older kids or those with a genuine interest in anatomy, history, or the odd and unusual.

Final Thoughts

I didn’t expect to enjoy this museum as much as I did, and I definitely didn’t expect my daughter to dive into it with so much enthusiasm. It ended up being one of the more unique outings we’ve had—and one we’re still talking about days later. If your kid has a curious mind and a strong stomach, it’s absolutely worth a visit.