– by Bonnie Small, Archives intern
Segments of Albert Einstein’s brain? A syphilitic face? How about a jar of skin pickings? Where else in the world can so many medical oddities exist under one roof? Growing up in Philadelphia, the Mütter Museum’s impressive collection of the strange and unusual had left its mark on my macabre side from an early age. When I decided to pursue my Masters in Library and Information Science (with an archives concentration) through the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee’s online program, I knew exactly where I would apply for an internship.
The College of Physicians of Philadelphia (CPP) is the parent organization of both the Mütter Museum and the Historical Medical Library. Prior to my internship, I was unaware that just above the museum’s marble staircase resides the world-renowned research library specializing in the history of medicine. I came to regard the Historical Medical Library as a sanctuary from the noisy crowds entering the museum below and as a hidden gem powering the museum’s exhibits. And more importantly, it became my designated work space during my internship.
