Welcome to our Online Collections Database!

You can visit the search page at: onih.pastperfectonline.com, but first review our tips for searching, below.

Tips for Searching

Keyword Search

  • Searches are not case sensitive.
  • Use quotes to search for a specific phrase (e.g. "Rocky Mountain Laboratory").
  • To find records containing more than one keyword, type AND between the keywords.
  • Maximize the number of results by spelling complete words and also using an abbreviation. For example, "building" and "Bldg."; “National Institute for Mental Health" and “NIMH."

Advanced Search

Advanced Search enables a more specific search for a word or phrase within particular catalog fields. For example, searching “White” in the People field will find any records associated with people named White, without also finding black & white photographs. Phrase searching with quotes and use of wildcards (*) are available in Advanced Search.

Random Images

Each Random Images page displays a random assortment of images from the online records online. Click the thumbnail to view a larger version of the image..

Catalog Searches (Archives / Photos / Libraries / Objects)

Use these to search a specific catalog or browse records within that catalog. Phrase searching, wildcards (*) as well as AND/OR statements are available when performing catalog searches.

Please Note:

We are always adding images and updating records. If you do not see an image or information that you need, please contact the Office of NIH History and Stetten Museum at http://history.nih.gov or by telephone at 301.496.6610.

Disclaimer:

The images in this database do not contain specific alt-text due to proprietary software. However, the caption and the description in each image's Full Record provide a more complete description than a short alt-text can.


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