International Museum of Surgical Science

International Museum of Surgical Science
Established 1954
Location 1524 N. Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago, Illinois
Coordinates 41°54′37″N 87°37′36″W / 41.9103°N 87.6266°W / 41.9103; -87.6266Coordinates: 41°54′37″N 87°37′36″W / 41.9103°N 87.6266°W / 41.9103; -87.6266
Type Medical museum
Collection size 7000+ medical artifacts[1]
Website http://www.imss.org

The International Museum of Surgical Science is a museum located in the Gold Coast neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. It is operated by The International College of Surgeons and features exhibits dealing with various aspects of Eastern and Western medicine. It was founded by Dr. Max Thorek in 1954. The museum's exhibits are displayed by theme or surgical discipline. Displays include photographs, paintings and drawings, sculpture, medical equipment, skeletons, medical specimens and historic artifacts. The library contains more than 5,000 rare medical texts.[2]

Housed in a 1917 mansion designed by Howard Van Doren Shaw as a replica of a building at Versailles, the museum was originally built for Chicago socialite Eleanor Robinson Countiss Whiting who died in 1931. The International College of Surgeons acquired the building in 1950.[1] In addition to displaying medical artifacts the museum has, since 1998, hosted a number of contemporary art exhibitions in an effort to broaden its appeal to visitors.[3] In 2010 visitor numbers were at 20,000 a year,[4] by 2013 this had increased to between 25,000 and 30,000.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 Chloe Riley (2016-03-17). "International Museum of Surgical Science Gets ‘Haunted’". WTTW, Chicago Tonight. Retrieved 2016-08-24.
  2. ↑ Joseph Erbentraut (2013-10-28). "International Museum Of Surgical Science An Offbeat, Hidden Gold Coast Gem (Photos)". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2016-08-24.
  3. 1 2 Kerry Reid (2013-02-27). "Surgical science museum features tools alongside an artist in residence". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2016-08-24.
  4. ↑ Mullen, William (2010-12-03). "Small museum sees a big future in cadavers". Tribune News Service.

See also


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