A £3.1 million project has involved the complete redisplay and interpretation of the Hunterian Museum.  Over 3,000 anatomical and biological specimens collected by the surgeon and naturalist John Hunter (1728-1793) form the physical and intellectual core of a museum which now explores the science and art of surgery over the past four centuries.  Other new galleries reveal the evolution of modern surgery, drawing together the perspectives of both patients and surgeons. While continuing to serve the needs of medical teaching and research, the

Museum actively promotes public interest in and understanding of a collection previously considered suitable only for medical professionals, and as such, offers a model to other institutions looking to find new uses and audiences for specialist collections.

The new Hunterian Museum is no longer an archaic, private resource for surgeons maintained out of a sense of duty, but a ‘shop window’ on to their work. By hosting public lectures on current issues in surgery and supporting workshops to encourage students from more diverse backgrounds to consider medicine as a career, the Museum is playing an active role in shaping the surgical profession for the future.
Since re-opening in February 2005 over 23,000 people have visited, a 100% increase on the same period before redevelopment.

The project was funded by the Royal College of Surgeons, the Wellcome Trust and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Visitor comment: “…to walk into this room filled with light and colour, and the silveriness you get from clear liquid and glass. And so many fascinating things to look at. I was really entranced by it”

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