Our Story
Since 1954, the International Museum of Surgical Science has provided education on the history and progress of surgery and related medical sciences to hundreds of thousands of visitors. As a not-for-profit division of the International College of Surgeons, the Museum depicts contributions from around the world to the history, development and advances of surgery and related subjects in health and medicine.
Housed in a historic mansion, the Museum building is a City of Chicago Landmark and is listed in the National Register and Illinois Register of Historic Places. The elegant structure, known as the Eleanor Robinson Countiss House, is patterned after Le Petit Trianon, a French chateau built on the grounds of Versailles for Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Designed by noted Chicago architect Howard Van Doren Shaw, the building was completed in 1917. Original interior finishes of marble and cut stone; decorative plaster work, metal fixtures and hardware; eight fireplaces; and a gilded metal grand staircase are among the features, which have been preserved. The building truly embodies the Gold Coast splendor of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Museum is closed on the following holidays: Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. IMSS is also closed during the Chicago Air and Water Show weekend.
ADMISSION
Adults - $17.00
Students, Educators, Members or the Military (with ID) - $13.00
Senior Citizens (ages 65+) - $13.00
Children ages 4–13 (Free for ages 3 & under) - $9.00
Children ages 3 and under - FREE
IMSS Members - FREE
No Refunds • No Exchanges • No Re-Entry
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
The Museum is easily accessible by bus or train.
* The CTA bus #151 stops at North Avenue, half a block north of the Museum.
* From the Clark/Division stop of the Red Line elevated train walk east on Division until you reach Lake Shore Drive. Turn north and walk a few blocks to the Museum.
* From the Sedgwick stop of the Brown Line and Purple Line Express elevated train, walk east on North Avenue until you reach Lake Shore Drive. Turn south and walk a block to the Museum.
For train and bus schedules call the RTA/CTA at 312-836-7000.
PARKING
Ample discounted parking is available in 3 locations within a few minutes’ walk of the Museum.
Retrieve a discounted validation voucher/stamp at the Museum box office to present to the parking attendant upon exiting the lot/ramp.
PARKING OPTION
Standard Parking Lot - Behind the Chicago History Museum located on Clark and LaSalle Streets, Chicago, IL 60614; entrance on Stockton Drive
Standard Parking Lot - in condominium building at 1445 N. State Parkway, Chicago, IL 60610; entrance on Burton Place.
Standard Parking Lot - in condominium building at 1350 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60610; entrance on E. Banks Street
Comments
Our favorite museums in Illinois will surely delight your friends and family! Field Museum, Chicago History Museum, Naper Settlement, Lincoln Home National Historic Site, The Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, International Museum of Surgical Science, The Adler Planetarium, Illinois State Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago
This week we'll finish up our deep dive into smallpox and see how it affected the Americas and, more importantly, how this deadly virus came to an end. It's difficult to wrap one's mind around how devastating this illness was to indigenous peoples. We'll see how it impacted the US Revolutionary War. And we'll finally see what this all has to do with rashy cows which, with the help of Dr. Edward Jenner's newfound practices, helped ultimately end the grip this disease had on the world. I'm glad we as physicians don't have to diagnose this illness anymore.
We are joined again by James R. Wilke who was kind enough to lend his expertise from his research as an artist in residency at the International Museum of Surgical Science to the creation of this show--including an amazing smallpoxy adaptation of The Night Before Christmas. We think you'll enjoy.
Links to show in our profile.
We can't wait to see you all tomorrow! Thank you for RSVP'ing. Here are some travel details from the International Museum of Surgical Science
https://imss.org/plan-your-visit/
TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT!
Come hear ~Nois make some weird sounds surrounded by our new statue friends. 7pm at the International Museum of Surgical Science. Ticket link in below:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/420961997667
World Premiere of Sunthrower by Darian Donovan Thomas
Works by
Hunter Brown
Sam Scranton
Aj Santillan
Daniel Wohl
New Episode – Smallpox (Part 1)
It’s about time we covered what is arguably the most devastating infectious disease in human history. We are joined by guest James R. Wilke by way of his work with the International Museum of Surgical Science--which we are convinced that he did just to be a part of our show, of course.
As an artist in residency at the museum, James’ research focused on smallpox and the impact this had all over the world. It’s a big topic so we’re splitting this into two episodes. Here, we bring you the first part, complete with our typical whimsy and humor. We hope you all enjoy.
If you’ve enjoyed this or any of our other episodes, follow us on social media and feel free to share us wherever you see fit.
Podcast Links:
-Linktree (reviews/ratings/social media links): linktr.ee/poorhistorianspod
-Merch Site:
https://www.teepublic.com/user/poor-historians-podcast
Save the date NCA Chicago Chapter members!
Our Holiday Party will take place on December 6th and will be hosted by our newest Affiliate Member International Museum of Surgical Science. This gathering is also where you can bring your Chigivesback donations for the Toy Drive or the family wishlist.
Check your emails to RSVP!
Thanks to our amazing opening team last week, My Son, Daniel!
Join us tonight at 8pm at Annoyance Theatre for FRIGHT NIGHT, featuring spooky storytelling from International Museum of Surgical Science, Chicago Gangsters and Ghosts Tours, and Cole Elbel, along with improv by the combined forces of Devil’s Daughter and FLEX!
Tickets:
https://theannoyance.thundertix.com/orders/new?performance_id=2856443
TONIGHT at 8pm is your LAST CHANCE to see Devil’s Daughter and FLEX on Wednesdays at Annoyance Theatre! But we’re going out with a SHRIEEEEK! It’s FRIGHT NIGHT, a night of terrifying true stories and improv featuring an amputation demonstration by International Museum of Surgical Science, a ghost tour guide from Chicago Gangsters and Ghosts Tours, and a ghost story from Cole Elbel!
Tickets:
https://theannoyance.thundertix.com/orders/new?performance_id=2856443
Art by Meigan Morales
Tomorrow night at 8pm is your LAST CHANCE to see Devil’s Daughter and FLEX on Wednesdays at Annoyance Theatre! But we’re going out with a SHRIEEEEK! It’s FRIGHT NIGHT, a night of terrifying true stories and improv featuring an amputation demonstration by International Museum of Surgical Science, a ghost tour guide from Chicago Gangsters and Ghosts Tours, and a ghost story from Cole Elbel!
Tickets:
https://theannoyance.thundertix.com/orders/new?performance_id=2856443
Art by Meigan Morales
Mummies are commonly associated with Ancient Egypt, but this cast is from a Peruvian mummy thousands of years old. You can discover the backstory of this mummy and so many other fascinating objects on my International Museum of Surgical Science (IMSS) virtual tours. They’re split into two, 45-minute experiences and are available on October 26 and November 10 on Heygo. There’s no charge to join my live-streamed tours, but tips are appreciated. Just click the link in the comments to register. I hope to see you soon at the IMSS!
P.S. Click the link in the bio to also bid on wonderful things in the IMSS’s Kintsugi Gala silent auction, including a private, two-hour tour of your choosing from me!
WEDNESDAY AT 8PM, don’t miss FRIGHT NIGHT, a night of terrifying true stories and improv featuring an amputation demonstration by International Museum of Surgical Science, a ghost tour guide from Chicago Gangsters and Ghosts Tours, and a ghost story from Cole Elbel! Devil’s Daughter and FLEX are combining forces for this one!
It’s also your last chance to see Devil’s Daughter at the Annoyance Theatre before we pass beyond the veil (to a different theater)!
Tickets:
https://theannoyance.thundertix.com/orders/new?performance_id=2856443
Tonight is the International Museum of Surgical Science Kintsugi Gala fundraiser filled with great food, drink and entertainment. Whether you’re at this event or not, you can bid on 74 lots in their silent auction, including a two-hour private tour of your choice from me for up to 15 people! All the proceeds support the wonderful International Museum of Surgical Science. Click the link in the comments to see all the silent auction items. 💀
For our final show at Annoyance Theatre (don’t worry, we’ll be back at a different location), Devil’s Daughter and FLEX are joining forces for FRIGHT NIGHT, a terrifying night of spooky stories and improv. Featuring stories by a Chicago Gangsters and Ghosts Tours guide, Cole Elbel, and an amputation demonstration by International Museum of Surgical Science! You don’t want to miss it next Wednesday at 8pm!
Tickets:
https://theannoyance.thundertix.com/orders/new?performance_id=2856443
Join us at the International Museum of Surgical Science along with the Japanese Arts Foundation for the inaugural Kintsugi Gala. Cuisine from local fine restaurants, Unlimited Suntory whisky, Live art performances, Photo booth experiences, and a City Pop vinyl DJ set by yours truly. Don't miss this, it's going to be incredible.
I am so, so proud of this show. "The Priestess of Morphine" has been a consistent presence in my life for multiple years at this point and I'm so grateful to have been a part of this show from the start.
Thank you to: Rosśa Crean for trusting me with this show; to Aiden Feltkamp for creating text and new translations of Marie-Madeleine's beautiful poetry; to Jessie Lyons for her incredible scene partnership and artistic spirit (and stunning singing); to Zucker for consistently finding new amazing colors when performing and being a backbone of production; to Beaune and N for joining us on this journey and giving such wonderful voices to the chamber orchestra; to Peckham Media Productions for their amazing work in this recording; and to the International Museum of Surgical Science for being such generous collaborators in how we use the museum for performance. I want to give a special thank you to the Goethe-Institut Chicago for their generous grant that allowed this work to come to life once more - thank you so very much.
Streaming is available until Oct. 31 - get your ticket to view the video-on-demand before time runs out!