Resources from the Cummings Center for the History of Psychology

The National Museum of Psychologyopens in new window has reopened to the public and is once again welcoming individual and group visitors. Located at the Cummings Center for the History of Psychology in Akron, Ohio, the National Museum of Psychology invites visitors to explore the history of psychology and related human sciences. Highlights include interactive exhibits on memory, intelligence, and personality; home movies of Sigmund Freud; a Nobel Prize; the simulated shock generator from Stanley Milgram's obedience studies; and artifacts from the Stanford Prison Experiment.

The Cummings Center also offers hands-on activities for students using materials from the Archives of the History of American Psychologyopens in new window. Students can work directly with primary source materials to explore a variety of topics in the history of psychology. Educators can request premade lessons as well as specially designed activities to meet the needs of their class.

Visitors should review our current health and safety precautionsopens in new window before arrival. Interested in scheduling a class trip or on-site activity? Contact Dorothy Gruich, MEd, or call (330) 972-7284 to schedule your visit and learn more.

The Cummings Center offers four free online exhibits spotlighting a variety of topics in the history of psychologyopens in new window, including the recently launched Make Something New: Creativity and Artistic Expression in Psychology. This new exhibit explores psychologists' attempts to define, measure, and test creativity throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, alongside creative works by notable psychologists. Students and educators can access this new exhibit, which includes primary source documents, photos, and videos, for free on the Cummings Center websiteopens in new window.

Five Minute History Lessons are a series of short videos on notable individuals and events in the history of psychology, from pioneering figures like Ruth Howard to the famous Robbers Cave Study. The most recent video in this seriesopens in new window explores the work of psychologist and historian Robert V. Guthrie, who helped to expose the contributions of Black psychologists throughout history.

Each video comes with a Scavenger Hunt activity and a Teacher’s Guide to guide student learning. These include short answer questions and discussion activities. The complete series can be accessed for free on the Cummings Center websiteopens in new window.