Coit Museum of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Roam Arizona

18 Aug 2025 — 2 min read

Inside the University of Arizona’s College of Pharmacy, the Coit Museum of Pharmacy and Health Sciences offers a fascinating look at how medicine and pharmacy have evolved over the centuries. This hidden gem is free to visit and is one of the most overlooked museums in Tucson.

Unique Collection

The museum houses more than 60,000 objects related to pharmacy, health sciences, and medical history. The shelves are lined with antique bottles, jars, and containers once used to store medications. Many of them still have their original labels, giving you a direct link to the past. There are displays of old medical tools, advertising signs, and rare pharmaceutical books that show how the profession has changed.

History on Display

The museum’s collection spans hundreds of years. You can see equipment from the days when pharmacists made medicine by hand, using mortars and pestles. Exhibits trace the shift from natural remedies to mass-produced pharmaceuticals. There are also sections dedicated to the history of health sciences in Arizona, highlighting how medical practices adapted to the state’s climate and communities.

Dillinger's Gum

One of the most unusual items on display is a glass jar of old chewing gum from the infamous bank robber John Dillinger. The gum is sealed for preservation, giving visitors a strange but tangible connection to one of the most notorious criminals of the era. It is a small reminder that history often survives in unexpected ways.

Educational Value

While the exhibits are interesting to casual visitors, the museum also serves as a resource for pharmacy students. It provides insight into the profession’s roots and encourages reflection on how far the science has come. This dual role as both a public museum and an educational center sets it apart from other specialty museums.

Plan Your Visit

The Coit Museum is located inside the University of Arizona’s College of Pharmacy on the Tucson campus. Admission is free, but hours may vary based on the academic schedule. Check ahead before visiting. Parking is available on the north side of Drachman Street, east of Cherry Avenue, in the reserved museum spaces. There is also parking on campus for a fee and public transportation stops nearby.

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