The Owen H. Wangensteen Historical Library of Biology and Medicine is a collection of approximately 60,000 rare and out-of-print books, manuscripts, and journals dating from the early 1400s to 1920. Subject concentrations include medicine, both broad and specific, biology, and natural history. The collection had its origins in the early years of the University when medical faculty purchased landmark works to expand the research materials for medical students. Dr.Wangensteen, who was a teacher, researcher, historian, and chief of surgery at the University of Minnesota, was instrumental in the development of endowments which support the continued growth of the collections. Because of these generous donors, works continue to be acquired in areas such as surgery, ophthalmology, cardiology, mycology, tuberculosis, nursing, radiology, pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology.

The Wangensteen holds many books and artifacts relative to the history of pharmacy. The collections have rich holdings of herbals and materia medica, as well as the artifact collection developed by the Dean Wulling, founding dean of the College of Pharmacy in Minnesota. Although the collections are uncatalogued, access can be given by contacting the curator in advance. Included are pharmacy jars and paraphernalia and pharmaceuticals (both legitimate and illegitimate).

Recently, the Wangensteen was given a collection of historical medical instruments by the Ramsey County Medical Library. This collection was part of the Boeckmann Library of the Ramsey County Medical Society, an extensive collection that the Society had supported since the 19th century. Society members endeavored to document the growth of medicine in Minnesota by collecting artifacts belonging to their members who practiced in St. Paul when it was still called Pigs Eye.

Another member of the Ramsey County Medical Society, Dr. Robert Rosenthal, donated his collection of infant feeders and baby bottles to the Wangensteen Historical Library. Dr. Rosenthal was a pediatrician who served on the University of Minnesota faculty for many decades.

The Wangensteen Historical Library remains first and foremost a collection of rare and out-of-print books and manuscripts relating to the practice of medicine. One can determine what the collections hold by searching MNCAT, the University of Minnesota's online catalog. Collections do not circulate, but requests for photocopying are granted when such copying does not destroy or damage the integrity of the book as an artifact. Research requests by mail, telephone, fax or e-mail are welcomed and responded to as time permits.