University of Pennsylvania. School of Veterinary Medicine

One of the oldest of its kind in the United States, the School of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania was established in October 1884, Dr. Rush Shippen Huidekoper serving as its first dean. In 1889, the state of Pennsylvania appropriated $25,000 for the School. This was the first of many state appropriations that have contributed to the rapid growth of the School.

In 1905, Dean Leonard Pearson presented plans for a combination of new veterinary school and hospital. Generous donations in addition to more state appropriations totaling $380,000 from 1906 to 1911 allowed for the completion of a new building by 1913. The School has since resided in this building.

By 1935, the School was offering courses for advanced work in veterinary pathology leading to master and doctoral degrees. The donation of a property called Bolton Farm in 1937 led to the establishment of an ambulatory clinic to aid the clinical instruction in veterinary medicine.

In 1945, the school reorganized the ambulatory clinic and established the Media Field Station. In 1952, the University of Pennsylvania acquired a tract of land at London Grove, Pennsylvania, 32 miles southwest of the University campus, for use by the Veterinary School. Named New Bolton Center, it has been a major base for teaching, research and clinical services in veterinary medicine.