Mutter Museum

The Mütter Museum in Philadelphia is an institution affiliated with the College of Physicians of Philadelphia that is devoted to the history of medicine and houses more than twenty thousand specimens and artifacts. Its holdings go back to a pathological and anatomical collection begun in 1849, which was greatly expanded by the generous gift of Thomas Dent Mütter in 1856. This donation included not only bones, wet specimens, and medical illustrations but also funds for the construction of a dedicated building, which the collection moved into in 1862 at the corner of 13th and Locust Streets. Over time, the collection grew steadily through purchases, donations, and material from the Civil War. After a move to 22nd Street and a comprehensive renovation in the 1980s, which brought modern glass display cases and climate control, the museum today presents a diverse selection of historical artifacts. Among the standout exhibits are a plaster cast of the conjoined twins Chang and Eng Bunker, a section of John Wilkes Booth's thorax, and personal items belonging to famous figures such as Florence Nightingale and Marie Curie.