Guide to Philadelphia: Arts & Culture

Philadelphian History: From Rodin to Rocky

Philadelphia, with its rich history, reveals a historical monument around nearly every corner, from the Liberty Bell and beyond. Also a place of learning, Philly is very rich in museums and research facilities. The Rodin Museum has a huge collection of sculpture, while the Philadelphia Museum of Art was immortalized in the film Rocky. Other museums are devoted to natural sciences and Jewish culture and history.

Don't Miss Philadelphia's Mutter Museum

The Mutter Museum in Philadelphia is one of a kind, appealing to both medical personnel and the curious. Inside the museum on South 22nd Street, visitors can find more than 20,000 objects and specimens that made medical history. From photos of Civil War injuries (and the amputations that commonly came after) to the preserved two-person liver of Siamese twins Chang and Eng, the Mutter is full of gruesome and fascinating memorabilia. Scalpels, saws and examination equipment date back to the 1700s, when surgeons did not bother to clean or sterilize anything. Rotating exhibits explore infectious diseases, conjoined twins, and the human head divided into sections for better viewing.

If your stomach can handle it, the Mutter is not to be missed. Also available is information on the health of Presidents and a special collection for students on body modification like piercing, stretching, corsets, foot binding and neck coils.

Outside the museum, visitors can explore the medicinal garden, which contains more than 50 kinds of plants used to cure aches and ailments. You can learn about the medicinal values of each plant and stroll down the garden paths to enjoy the sights and smells.

Sources:
College of Physicians of Philadelphia
The Travel Channel