Historic Pennsylvania Hospital Surgical Amphi-theatre, in use from 1804 through 1868 (Photo: Pennsylvania Hospital/Robert Neroni)
Join museum education consultant Sheila Pinsker for a close-up look at fascinating medical history in Philadelphia. Explore the history of American medicine as you view skulls, skeletons, and specimens, as well as models, memorabilia, and medicinal herbs.
Begin the day at the Society Hill mansion of Philip Syng Physick, known as the Father of American Surgery (and sip his cherry shrub), then walk through the streets of old Philadelphia passing by other medical landmarks.
After a 3-course lunch at the historic City Tavern, tour the building that from 1755 to 1804 housed the country’s first surgical amphitheater, part of the Pennsylvania Hospital, which Benjamin Franklin co-founded "to care for the sick-poor and insane who were wandering the streets of Philadelphia," and that continues to serve as an acute-care facility.
The late-Georgian building in Center City that houses the College of Physicians of Philadelphia and the Mutter Museum is the last stop of the day. Collections of anatomical specimens, models, and medical instruments are displayed in a 19th-century "cabinet museum" setting. Enjoy a tour of the museum and a talk on forensic anthropology and criminal investigations.
Fringe stop at about 7:25 a.m.
The tour involves considerable walking and stair climbing. A stop is made on the return trip to purchase a meal.
