Mütter Museum Considers Adopting a More Respectful Approach, Against Wishes of Some of Its Fans

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Mütter Museum entrance
The Mütter Museum, a collection of medical oddments and human remains in Center City, is considering taking a more respectful approach to its collection.

The Mütter Museum, a beloved 19th-century collection of medical oddments and human remains at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, is considering taking a more respectful approach to its collection – and some fans are not happy, writes Franz Lidz for The New York Times.

The Center City museum is currently in the process of reassessing what it has and why. However, officials recently enlisted a public-relations consultant with expertise in crisis management to help contain any criticism.

The uproar started when the museum removed all but 12 of its images and videos from its website and YouTube channel.

Kate Quinn, who was hired last September as the museum’s executive director, explained that the clips were being re-evaluated “to improve the visitor experience.”

She created a task force to provide feedback and ensure the museum’s online presence is appropriate and its specimens on display were being treated respectfully.

Blowback to the ethical review was swift and included an online petition with nearly 33,000 signatures from people who do not want changes.

After 13 employees quit, various rumors started to circulate, including possible “permanent” exhibits being removed, all of which have been denied by museum officials.

Read more about the Mütter Museum’s more respectful approach to its collection in The New York Times.

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