Mütter Museum

Mütter Museum is a medical museum located in the Center City, Philadelphia, part of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia. It is renowned for its large collection of anatomical specimens, models, and medical instruments. The museum's collection is both historically significant and educational, aiming to improve public understanding of medical history, anatomy, and pathology.

History

The Mütter Museum was founded in 1858, thanks to a contribution from Dr. Thomas Dent Mütter, a professor of surgery and a member of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Dr. Mütter donated his personal collection of over 1,700 objects and a substantial endowment fund, with the condition that the college would build a museum to house the collection and continue to expand and maintain it. The museum originally served as a resource for medical students to learn about human anatomy and pathology but has since become a popular public attraction.

Collections

The museum's collection includes over 25,000 objects, including fluid-preserved anatomical and pathological specimens, skeletal and dried specimens, medical instruments, and anatomical and pathological models. Notable items in the collection include:

• The Hyrtl Skull Collection, a collection of 139 skulls that demonstrate cranial anatomy and pathology.
• The Chevalier Jackson collection of over 2,000 objects extracted from patients' airways.
• A malignant tumor removed from President Grover Cleveland's hard palate.
• The conjoined liver and plaster torso death cast of the famous Siamese twins, Chang and Eng Bunker.
• Specimens of osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease), including the skeleton of Harry Raymond Eastlack.

Exhibitions

The Mütter Museum hosts both permanent and temporary exhibitions. Permanent exhibitions focus on the museum's vast collection of anatomical specimens, medical instruments, and models. Temporary exhibitions have covered a wide range of topics related to medical history, public health, and the human body.

Education and Research

The museum serves as an educational resource for the public, medical professionals, and students. It offers a variety of programs, lectures, and workshops that aim to enhance understanding of the human body and medical history. The museum also supports research by providing access to its collections and archives.

Impact and Reception

The Mütter Museum is considered an important institution in the field of medical history and education. It attracts over 130,000 visitors annually, including medical professionals, students, and the general public. The museum has been featured in various media outlets and is recognized for its contribution to public education about medical science, anatomy, and health.

See Also

• History of Medicine
• Anatomical Museum
• Medical Education