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“Not for the squeamish”
This small museum on Lake Shore Drive is the perfect size, specific enough to be fascinating, but not too large and overwhelming that museum-fatigue sets in. The museum is a strange but effective mix of scientific and surgical ephemera, and art based on the body. There are iron lungs, old-school surgical equipment, technical analysis of viruses and infectious diseases, plasticized circulatory systems (a la ‘Body World’) and enormous cringe inducing gallstones. The museum also features a hall of larger-than-life sculptures which commemorate pioneers in medicine and surgery from ancient Egyptian times to the present. Additionally, the museum hosts contemporary artists-in-residence who create works about science and the body, inspired by the holdings of the museum. WARNING: This is not a museum for the squeamish, unless you think you can stomach seeing a plasticized body cut into one inch slices and spread the length of a room, you should steer clear. (Like that one scene with the horse from the movie The Cell, with J-Lo)
My visit to Chicago, this most recent go around, was to truly dive into the cultural and architectural experiences the city is pregnant with! The International Museum of Surgical Science was one... Read more
So I think my FIRST Yelp Elite event was here! Yikes, those 6 years went fast! Anna K, the Chicago manager at the time (Hi Anna!), recommended this place. It's an odd choice for an exhibit or... Read more
If you are interested in medicine or surgery, this is the place for you. This museum details the history of surgery ranging from the tools that were used 100+ years ago, contains statues of people... Read more
International Museum of Surgical Science
Hours
- Sun, Sat: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Mon - Fri: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Credit Cards Accepted
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Outdoor Seating
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