Postmortem Project
Postmortem: Redefining Respect, Reinterpreting Remains
Welcome to the Postmortem Project at the Mütter Museum! Please join us on a thought-provoking exploration that delves deep into the very heart of ethical questions surrounding future exhibition themes and consent regarding human remains. We are seeking community input as we continue to explore our 'Birthplace of American Medicine'. Part exhibition, part event, and all community-driven, this multifaceted project invites you to engage with complex themes of respect, consent, and ethics, challenging you to ponder the intricacies of collection, care, interpretation, and display.
Join us in an immersive experience where exhibitions prompt reflection and every discussion sparks further dialogue. Through exhibitions, surveys, and interactive discussions, we invite you to lend your voice to shaping the future of the Museum. Led by a diverse team of internal and external experts, this visionary two-year project seeks to pave the way for a more inclusive, respectful, and enlightening museum experience.
Be heard, be inspired, and be part of the Mütter Museum's legacy as we explore together the intersections of past, present, and future. Your voice matters as we navigate these vital topics, and together, we'll chart a course towards a brighter, more informed tomorrow.
I have a vision of a museum focused on a broader story of medical history than pathologies and oddities
– Postmortem Town Hall Participant
Upcoming Events & Programs
A timeline overview of the various components of the Postmortem project can be found below. Event specifics will be updated regularly in the “Upcoming Events” section of this webpage. Dates and times are subject to change.
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February 29, 2024 • 3–7 PM – Open House
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April 25, 2024 • 3–7 PM – Open House
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May 2024 • Exhibition Opening
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June 27, 2024 • 3–7 PM – Open House
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August 29, 2024 • 3–7 PM – Open House
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October 2024 • Open House
Feedback From Our Audience
The images below were captured during the initial Postmortem Town Hall where the public was invited to share their input with the goal of informing a roadmap for the future of the Museum's design, interpretive approach, and displays.
Open House Series
Join us every other month for an engaging exploration of our latest work at the Mütter Museum. Have a hand in shaping the next exhibit we are creating, centering public health, illness, wellness, and discover rare and unique items from our collection that illuminate the incredible journey of medicine. The public will interact with facilitators during their visit and will be asked to share their thoughts on several topics as they move through the museum.
Participate in interactive forums guided by knowledgeable facilitators during your visit. Your insights and perspectives are invaluable as we delve into these important topics together.
Thursday, April 25 • 3–7 PM
Come out on Thursday, April 25 and get involved in our interactive forum, to learn from history and fuel the future of Mütter Museum. Have a hand in shaping the future of the Mütter Museum exhibitions, discover rare and unique items from our collection, and participate in facilitated group conversations about medical teaching collections, representation, and accessibility. This event is free and open to the public with complimentary Museum admission included in your visit. Registration is encouraged as capacity is limited and we cannot guarantee walk-in availability. Sign up here.
Save the Date: Additional Open Houses to be held in June, August, and October
Focus Groups
This small group experience will offer a deep dive to focus on our audience and gather their views and feedback on our upcoming topics and exhibits. We are reaffirming our commitment to listening and funneling all feedback into prototyping and planning for a community- informed exhibit that amplifies collections and under-told histories to tell a fuller story. The exhibition opens in May, but other focus group discussions allow for future thinking which is planned to be shared our in the exhibition. These focus groups will home in on the broader context of respect, ethics, human remains, future topics, the museum, and its future. The goal of these focus groups will be targeted feedback from audiences with backgrounds including but not limited to healthcare, education, BIPOC communities, and individuals with disabilities. External professionals responsible for coordinating and executing the focus groups will be conducting outreach to potential focus group participants with these communities in mind.
To indicate your interest in being included in potential focus groups as part of the audience engagement component of the Postmortem project, please fill out this form.
Vision: Telling complete stories of the individuals in the collection while maintaining a historically referent exhibition space
– Postmortem Town Hall Participant
Exhibition
A dedicated Postmortem: Mütter Museum exhibition is slated to open in May 2024. This will focus on more than 30 collection items that highlight the complexities surrounding human remains in museums. A diverse team of content experts will research the selected items, including provenance, social and cultural context, personal history and narratives, and other information to recontextualize items for public consideration. Audience engagement and feedback in the form of discussions, charrettes, and workshops will be incorporated into the exhibition.
Recaps & Resources
Click the link below to learn about the various components of Postmortem Project: Mütter Museum as they take place. Recaps and results will be populated as various events occur.
Contact Us
For questions or concerns regarding Postmortem Project: Mütter Museum, please email us .
To indicate your interest in being included in potential focus groups as part of the audience engagement component of the Postmortem project, please fill out .
Acknowledgements
Support for Postmortem Project: Mütter Museum has been provided by .