indiana medical history museum

indiana medical history museum印象

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  Biology-Teacher308

  We were visiting family in Indianapolis and I came upon this museum on trip advisor. They have lived there 10 years and had never heard of it, but were willing to try it out. My husband and I are both science geeks. This was one of the best museums I have been to in a long time. They have brains with tumors in jars! That is enough said for me. Actually this building was built to work with the insane asylum. They were to be the main research facility and they were looking for an actual medical reason for the mental health problems. The doctor and architecture that designed the building had amazing vision. Every room yielded a new cool layout or way of doing something that we do in modern day. For example, they had one of the first cold drinking fountains. It was designed so that a block of ice would be placed in the back and as it melted during the day there would be cold water available for people to drink. How cool is that!There are stairs to climb and it is such and old building that it does not have an elevator.It is not open every day, so it would be best to check the website before heading over. It is in a kind of remote area of town. The houses that surround the property are lower middle class, but it is part of a 180 acre section that was once part of the asylum. (unfortunately most of the buildings have been torn down or have too many problems to use anymore) There is a small entrance fee that goes toward the upkeep of the museum. It is all privately funded.If any kind of medical history interests you, this is well worth the trip. The tour lasted about an hour and then there was time to look around the library area for a little longer.

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  ChachiiLover

  I had been interested in the history of Central State Asylum for years and came across the IMHM and originally wanted to go because it was on Central State grounds. It was one of the most interesting places ive been. One of the best tours ive had! I have been back several times!

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  clintongal50

  I came upon the medical museum and was very surprised. The tours were wonderful and so many well preserved artifacts. They should let the public be aware of this. A lot of people I have talked to didn't even know such a place existed.

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  jnjm18

  This apparently is a place not a lot of people - even residents of Indianapolis have heard of. But if you have any interest at all in science you have to see this. It was one of the only remaining buildings from a facility for the mentally handicapped. When these types of facilities were decommissioned in the 70's most of the buildings were torn down (unfortunately because pictures of the original buildings were beautiful) The building remaining contained a lecture hall, a room for autopsies, a number of labs. The amazing part is things were basically left as is -- as if they closed the door one day and didn't return. The original fixtures, furniture, lab items AND the collection of autopsied brains showing varying degrees of tumors and disorders. The history of the place is absolutely fascinating .

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  500DandD

  Some time ago I was asked to give a talk at this museum and after living in Indianapolis my entire life I'd not only never been there but had never heard of it! Anyway it's a fascinating place that among other things offers a recreation of a 19th/ early 20th century medical school lecture hall. The docents were charming and wonderful. I wouldn't recommend the place for a toddlers but you can imagine a middle schooler's excitement at row after row of preserved brains (among many other things)!

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  718MikeH

  This museum is located on the site of an old insane asylum. It is the old pathology laboratory building. It was considered "state of the art" in its time. I especially enjoyed the old chemistry and microbiology labs, pathology teaching amphitheater, autopsy room and specimens of brains and other organs.The docent providing the tour was very knowledgeable and friendly. The tour lasts for about an hour.

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  WilliamL75

  If you are interested at all in medical history this is a must visit. The amphitheater classroom used to observe surgeries is intact. There is a collection of preserved human organs including brains, lungs etc. from people of all ages. The guides know their business, and even though it sounds a little 'macabre', it allows one to understand what and how a surgeon learned his or her practice in years past.

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  richardhJ2697EM

  Family on a visit from the UK. What an amazing place. Even if your not in the medical profession (we aren't) this is a must see whilst in Indi. We did the tour with some nursing students so also got to see the demi heads which are locked away in a cupboard. Tour takes less than a couple of hours but not open all the time

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  kimberlyh719

  Im a nurse, so I had to check this place out during our last trip to Indi. It was a bit hard to find but well worth the time. We went on the garden tour first which I found to be really interesting. The woman who guided it was very knowledgeable. The museum itself is so neat. There is just a ton of fascinating history on site. If you have any interest in medical history, this is a must see.

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  Certs350

  This was a fun and interesting museum. What it lacked in depth it made up for in authenticity as an example of public health facilities of the early 20th Century. 45 minute tours begin on the hour, so it's a 1 hour stop. Well worth it.