Highlights From the Warren Anatomical Museum
The collections inside this museum hold intriguing objects that tell the story of 19th century American medicine
- By Brian Wolly
- Smithsonian.com, January 01, 2010
(Warren Anatomical Museum)
A prominent obstetrician and gynecologist, Robert Latou Dickinson graduated first in his class from Long Island College Hospital in 1881 and ran a successful OB/GYN practice in Brooklyn before elected president of the American Gynecological Society in 1920. In his self-described “second career,” Dickinson researched and investigated sexual anatomy and contraception, recording detailed descriptions of female anatomy for educational use.
Out of this research, Dickinson oversaw the production of 24 life-sized plaster casts depicting conception, fetal growth, and birth for the 1940 World’s Fair in Queens. A few years later, he designed “Norma” and “Norman” with help from sculptor Abram Belskie. They are the product of measurements of over 15,000 women and a like number of men.
Dickinson donated the sculptures to the Cleveland Health Museum, which after its 2007 merge with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, donated the models in turn to Harvard’s Center for the History of Medicine.
Comments (7)
I think the most important/interesting piece at the museum is the skull of Phineus Gage and the tamping rod that was blow through it.
Posted by Shawn Winter on December 3,2012 | 05:22 PM
This 1862 anatomical preparation of six muscles radiating from the second cervical vertebra was indicative of how medicine was taught at the time, and is a classic example of the types of objects found at the Warren today.
Posted by Patricia on February 4,2010 | 03:15 PM
Very interesting. But I'm stuck:
What is the "anatomical preparation" in the first photo?
Posted by Beth Lynch on January 28,2010 | 09:56 PM
A couple decades back I arranged a tour for some friends, art teachers, and librarians. The museum was tiny even then but fascinating as was the curator, a former art major. Warren's skeleton was kept in a cabinet, but a few brooms had found their way there as well. Anyway, one of the guys FAINTED! That was the best. Good to know I maybe able to visit again.
Posted by Virginia Kropas on January 12,2010 | 09:43 PM
A simple google search would've answered your questions:
Warren Anatomical Museum
10 Shattuck St.
Boston, MA 02115
Exhibition Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday, 9AM-5PM,
except Harvard University Holidays.
Phone: 617.432.6196 • Fax: 617.432.4737
Posted by Mark on January 12,2010 | 02:54 PM
Yes, indeed, I also wonder in what city the museum is located. Boston or Cambridge? Washington D.C.? La Paz, Bolivia? (;-)
Posted by D W SCOTT on January 10,2010 | 05:18 PM
ARTYICLE WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER IF MUSEUM ADDRESS AND HOURS OPEN TO PUBLIC ACCOMPANIED IT SO ONE COULD DO THEIR OWN FOLLOW-UP
Posted by GARY MININSOHN on January 7,2010 | 02:02 PM