College of Physicians of Philadelphia

Founded in 1787, the College of Physicians of Philadelphia is one of the oldest professional medical institutions in America. The Mütter Museum of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia began as a donation in 1859 from American surgeon Thomas Dent Mütter, MD, who was determined to improve and reform medical education. The museum helps the public understand the mysteries and beauty of the human body and to appreciate the history of diagnosis and treatment of disease.

As the first phase of a planned multi-year capital improvements initiative, this project featured upgrades to the collection’s storage, laboratory space, fire safety infrastructure, drainage and moisture protection, and other improvements in the basement of the museum and the historic private garden area.

Key elements of the project included selective demolition in the basement and ventilation chase to roof, including coordination with possible hazardous material remediation; Conversion of conservation lab area to specimens storage and conversion of existing wet specimen storage room into conservation lab, including construction of new room entry vestibule; New compact storage systems in collections storage areas; New mechanical and sprinkler systems, including a dry fire protection system for new collection storage areas; New moisture infiltration / drainage systems and storm / sewer separation; ADA ramp for access to the historically certified garden from the Thompson Gallery.