The Mütter Museum, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a medical museum which houses medical oddities, wax models, antique equipment, and memorabilia of famous scientists and physicians.
The Museum's collections includes over 20,000 objects. Among the strangest displays are a preserved nine-foot long colon full of fecal matter, a growth taken from Lincoln's assassin, and a woman whose remains turned to soap.
Further displays include a collection of 2,000 objects extracted from people's throats, a plaster cast of the torso of world-famous Siamese twins, and the tallest skeleton on display in North America.
Showcasing Medical Oddities
The Mutter Museum
Trend Themes
1. Medical Oddities Exhibitions - The rise of medical oddities exhibitions as a form of unique museum experience presents opportunities for unconventional storytelling and immersive experiences.
2. Unconventional Collections - The trend of curating and showcasing unconventional collections in museums opens doors for innovation in curation techniques and interactive displays.
3. Medical History Preservation - The growing interest in preserving and displaying medical oddities and historical artifacts provides an opportunity for technological advancements in preservation methods and digital archiving.
Industry Implications
1. Museums and Exhibitions - The unconventional exhibits showcased at the Mütter Museum point towards the potential for museums and exhibitions to explore new themes and attract diverse audiences.
2. Tourism and Leisure - The rise in popularity of medical oddities and unconventional collections offers opportunities for tourism and leisure industries to develop specialized tour packages and unique experiences.
3. Medical and Healthcare - The preservation and display of medical oddities highlights the potential for the medical and healthcare industry to facilitate education, research, and public engagement by collaborating with museums and exhibits.