The Hoover Institution Library & Archives presents Bread + Medicine: Saving Lives in a Time of Famine, which brings to light an American rescue operation during the catastrophic famine in Soviet Russia and Ukraine a century ago. The American Relief Administration, led by humanitarian Herbert Hoover, distributed food to millions of people. Yet, while food saved many lives, the ARA’s medical relief campaign proved to be equally critical to the mission’s success.

Through photographs and archival material, visitors will discover the medical plight of those suffering from starvation and meet the American doctors and local medical teams who worked together to prevent a potentially devastating spread of disease. The ARA’s medical campaign included supplying drugs and medical equipment on a massive scale, launching a sanitary offensive to curb contagion, and vaccinating millions. America’s intervention saved countless lives and revitalized medical care for tens of millions in a time of desperate need.

Bread + Medicine: Saving Lives in a Time of Famine is open to the public at the Hoover Tower daily, 10am-4pm. 

Beginning in January 2023, the Hoover Institution Library & Archives will provide free weekly tours of our exhibition galleries to the public. Tours will be offered on Thursdays at 11:00 AM on a first-come-first-served basis.