International Museum of Surgical Science

The International Museum of Surgical Science sits in a historic mansion in the Gold Coast neighborhood, displaying a large collection of medical instruments, equipment, and artworks spanning different periods. The galleries present everything from ancient surgical tools to modern medical devices that document how healing practices have advanced.

The museum was founded in 1954 by the International College of Surgeons and occupies a 1917 mansion designed as a replica of the Petit Trianon at Versailles. This elegant residence was selected specifically to house an institution dedicated to preserving medical knowledge and honoring the history of surgery.

The museum reflects how medical progress has shaped human understanding of health and healing across time. Walking through the galleries, you encounter objects that doctors once used daily, showing how medicine transformed from craft to science.

The museum is fully accessible and welcoming to all visitors, with facilities designed for comfortable exploration of the galleries. Plan to spend several hours here, as the collection is extensive and rewards a leisurely pace through the different sections.

Among the most striking exhibits is an Austrian amputation saw with a reversible blade, revealing how surgeons of earlier times approached cutting techniques. Equally fascinating is the perfusion pump developed jointly by Charles Lindbergh and Alexis Carrel, showing how aviation engineering and medical invention intersected in unexpected ways.

Location: Illinois

Inception: 1954

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Operator: International College of Surgeons

Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 09:30-17:00; Saturday,Sunday 10:00-17:00

Website: http://imss.org

GPS coordinates: 41.91030,-87.62660

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:00