2284 Ephraim McDowell House

Category:

Marker reads, Home of Ephraim McDowell, the “father of modern surgery.” Here on December 25, 1809, McDowell performed the first successful abdominal operation when he took a 22-pound ovarian cyst from Jane Todd Crawford of Green County With no anesthesia, she sang hymns during the operation. Crawford recovered in 25 days and lived until 1842. Back of Marker- Built in three stages. Brick ell, or single-story wing, built 1790s. McDowell purchased house in 1802 and added front clapboard section circa 1804. Rear brick office and formal gardens added in 1820. House sold when McDowell died in 1830. In 1930s, Kentucky Medical Association. bought house; restored by Works Progress Administration. House dedicated on May 20, 1939. Now a house museum.