Chicago, Illinois: International Museum of Surgical Sciences
15,000 items, including 19th century enema syringes, Victorian x-ray-proof underwear, and 2,000-year-old trepanned skulls from ancient tombs in Peru.
- Address:
- 1524 N. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL
- Directions:
- Along Lake Shore Drive/US Hwy 41, between Burton Place and North Ave.
- Hours:
- Tu-Th, Su 10 am - 5 pm, F-Sa 10 am - 9 pm. Closed M. (Call to verify)
- Phone:
- 312-642-6502
- RA Rates:
- Worth a Detour
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International Museum of Surgical Sciences At the International Museum of Surgical Sciences -- the life-size bust of Maurice Tillet.
[Darick Maasen, 10/14/2012]
Museum of Surgical Science It's amazing -- the museum itself is a lovely old building by Lake Michigan (you can see the lake from the museum). Everywhere there is something odd and wonderful, like the case of fake legs I found, cases of odd Ancient Roman surgery tools, a case of kidney stones, Victorian quackery section with Violet Ray and ether masks...you need at least 2-3 hours to go through the place properly! It's great to go around Halloween too, though I am sure the medical students there thought we were the odd ones!
[Nyx, 11/18/2009]Nestled among the luxury high-rises of Chicago's Gold Coast lies the Museum of Surgical Sciences. It houses a fascinating array of instruments, artists' renderings and graphic descriptions of the history of surgery. I became especially squeamish at the sight of their collection of antique gynecological instruments. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Admission used to be free, but they now charge a nominal entry fee.
[The Peabodys, 02/15/2000]Nearby Offbeat Places
- Noble Horse Theatre presents "Quadrille", Chicago, IL - < 1 mi.
- Weber Grill Restaurant - Giant Grill, Chicago, IL - 1 mi.
- Billy Goat Tavern - Cheeseborger Cheeseborger, Chicago, IL - 1 mi.
- In the region: Giant Hawk Head and Nest, Highland Park, IL - 23 mi.
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The International Museum of Surgical Science has a great collection of medical devices to amuse and horrify: 19th century tin enema syringes; Cornelius Solingen's fork for breast amputation (1684); a Shoe Fitter X-Ray machine; Victorian-era X-Ray proof underwear; 2000 year old trepanned skulls recovered from ancient tombs in Peru, and 15,000 other items. 1524 N. Lake Shore Drive