Chicago

The International Museum of Surgical Science, founded by Dr. Max Thorek in 1954 and operated by the International College of Surgeons, is housed in a stunning 1917 Gold Coast mansion designed by architect Howard Van Doren Shaw to replicate Marie Antoinette's Petit Trianon at Versailles. This unique institution maintains over 10,000 square feet of public galleries committed to the history of surgery and medicine, featuring over 7,000 medical artifacts and 600 paintings, prints, and sculptures that span the evolution of Eastern and Western healing practices from ancient times to modern day. Among its notable exhibits is a meticulously reconstructed turn-of-the-century apothecary assembled on-site from the remnants of two New York apothecaries, alongside displays of rare medical instruments, specimens, prosthetic devices, and historical medical texts including works by Vesalius and Frederik Ruysch. The museum's Hall of Immortals features twelve large stone statues of great figures in medicine and science, while the Hall of Murals showcases paintings depicting significant moments in medical history. The mansion's original architectural features, including carved fireplaces, checkered marble flooring, and original birch and walnut wood paneling, provide an elegant backdrop for exploring the mysteries, breakthroughs, and milestones that have shaped modern surgical science. The museum also dedicates galleries to contemporary art exploring embodiment and medicine, and features an artist residency program that allows local artists in-depth access to its collection.