PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — One of Philadelphia’s most popular museums of oddities is raising eyebrows — not for its presentations, but for claims of limiting access to its own exhibits.
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Part of the College of Physicians, dating back to 1850, the Mütter Museum is known for playing up the strange factor with displays of skulls and anatomical specimens — even a part of Albert Einstein’s brain. But recently, it has come under fire as being insensitive because the exhibits feature human remains.
That prompted an institution-wide review. In response, all exhibits that were previously accessible online were temporarily removed.
Critics said some recent in-person exhibits had also been cut short or canceled abruptly, and even online interviews and pieces that did not showcase human remains from the museum’s collection were unilaterally taken down. Museum leadership said they did so to review them and ensure they are ethically sound.
Kate Quinn was hired less than a year ago as the executive director of the museum and the Historical Medical Library, and now she’s getting the brunt of the backlash from Mütter enthusiasts who fear the new leadership will change the museum’s core oddity appeal.
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“There’s a larger purse, of course, for ethical considerations and respect when it comes to collections and how they’ve been cared for, acquired and treated,” said Quinn. “And that international conversation is playing out here at the Mütter Museum.
“Unfortunately, the spread of misinformation of what’s happening here.”
She clarified that there are no immediate plans to permanently remove exhibits. “My vision looking forward incorporates many perspectives and multi-disciplinary approaches.”
Under an FAQ section of the Mütter’s website, it says the YouTube videos “were temporarily removed for comprehensive review by a panel of experts to ensure the content was ethical and mission-focused.”
Over the next year, Quinn said the museum will hold a series of community discussions aimed at moving the museum in the right direction.
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