Welcome to the Postmortem Project at the Mütter Museum! Following a thought-provoking exploration that involved two years of community conversation, research, and reflection, we plan to announce our updated approach to the ethical considerations of human remains.
We have announced two public events to close out the Postmortem Project that will provide a transparent understanding of how the College and Museum will engage with a variety of complex issues, including the display of human remains, imagery and social media, living donors, and repatriations.
“We look forward to the opportunity for the Museum and Library team, led by our incredible medical historians Sara Ray, PhD, and Erin McLeary, PhD, to provide a detailed understanding of the rich history of our collection and our interpretive approach moving forward that combines ethics, education, and engagement,” said Dr. Larry Kaiser, President and CEO of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia. “The Museum offers the public the accessibility to better understand and discuss the complexities of the human body and highlights richer storytelling about the history of American medicine and people's unique experiences.”
We thank everyone who has joined this immersive experience, which has prompted a great deal of reflection and dialogue. You have contributed to the Mütter Museum's legacy as we’ve charted a course towards a brighter, more informed tomorrow.
Upcoming Events & Programs
Postmortem Project: Medical History and New Perspectives
Wednesday, August 20, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Join us as our Museum team will share what it has learned during the Postmortem Project and how those takeaways will impact the interpretive approach moving forward. Attendees can expect the following highlights:
- Collections staff will present the Museum’s innovative de-anonymization research pilot project and plans to advance this work.
- Interpretation staff will be stationed throughout the galleries to explain how this groundbreaking research will be integrated into the visitor experience.
- Guests will have an interactive opportunity to apply the research methodologies detailed by the team and gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to restore personhood to a specimen.
This event is free and open to the public.
StorySlam: Let Them Speak
Wednesday, September 24, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Join us for the second event in the series, StorySlam: Let Them Speak, in partnership with First Person Arts. This event will feature six individuals with unique perspectives sharing what the Museum means to them.
A Story Slam is “an invitation to share five minutes of their life in a room full of people who appreciate a well-told tale.” Speakers will highlight their personal connections to the collection, examine the ethical complexities surrounding collection and display, explore disability, and discuss the power of historical storytelling for restorative justice.
Tickets are $15.
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.
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 opened in May 2024, drawing on items from the Museum's collection that highlight the complexities surrounding human remains in museums. A diverse team of content experts researched the topics and objects, including provenance, social and cultural context, personal history and narratives, and other information to recontextualize items for public consideration. The exhibition also incorporates public reaction from the Postmortem events.
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 .
Acknowledgements
Support for Postmortem Project: Mütter Museum has been provided by .