I've lived in Chicago for over 25 years and didn't even know this place existed. My niece, a nursing student, came to visit and suggested we check out IMSS. It was fascinating! Don't be deceived by the outward appearance of size. ...
Read MoreI've lived in Chicago for over 25 years and didn't even know this place existed. My niece, a nursing student, came to visit and suggested we check out IMSS. It was fascinating! Don't be deceived by the outward appearance of size. This former home to Eleanor Robinson Countiss holds 4 floors of densely organized exhibits, including one about the history of the mansion and its former residents. Walking in I silently thought we would be there for an hour at the most. We left three hours later. The museum also makes known connections with another Chicago name, Dr. Max Thorek, who founded the International College of Surgeons with the museum's humble beginnings in the college's Hall of Fame. The history held here spans from ancient Egypt through to modern times. The exhibits are a bit old school with no real interactivity in the contemporary sense. But they are meticulously displayed, labeled, and maintained. Another significant surprise the the amount of *art* on display, from pencil drawings, to busts to larger-than-life sculptures, to wall-sized painting. Indeed, it makes sense as art -- particularly painting and drawing -- would have been the only way to depict surgical procedures prior to the ages of photography and video. All the art is breathtaking and surprisingly intimate. The gift shop is tiny -- a single, small room mostly taken up with a desk and some display cases. Nevertheless, the items for sale are clever and unique and will lighten your wallet significantly if you're not careful. This is a hidden gem in this city of excellent museums. Be sure to check out the museum's website where you'll find a lot of surprising information about the museum's art residency, NASA learning camps, internships, hosting events, alongside the usual info about exhibits, maps, etc. Whether you're into medicine and science or not, you'll find this a fascinating way to spend a couple hours on a weekend afternoon!
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