Dr. Max Thorek founded the International College of Surgeons (ICS) in 1935, with the goals of promoting the exchange of surgical knowledge and fostering understanding and good will worldwide. He had an equally noble goal in establishing the International Museum of Surgical Science - to enrich people's lives.

Beginning in 1950, through the efforts of Dr. Thorek, the Museum received donations of objects and artwork from many of the national sections of the ICS, individual surgeons and collectors, and other institutions. Shipments of artifacts, paintings, sculptures, and books arrived, and the Museum began to take shape. To house the Museum, a historic lakeside mansion was acquired, adjacent to the ICS headquarters.

The Museum opened to the public on September 9, 1954. One of the first exhibits to be installed was the Hall of Immortals, containing twelve large stone statues of great figures in the field of medicine and the allied sciences. In further reverence to great scientists, surgeons and discoveries of the past, a Hall of Murals was created with a series of large paintings depicting the development of surgical science through the ages.

In 1959, the Museum marked the dedication of galleries devoted to France, Mexico, Spain and the Netherlands, with many more of these national rooms inaugurated over the ensuing years. The founding leaders of the Museum hoped to make the collection meaningful to the public by organizing exhibits by nation. Each room, hallway, and stair landing were devoted to one nation or region's historical collection with the intention of tracing a particular nation's contribution to surgery.

Beginning in 1990, new exhibits were developed based on historical themes and surgical disciplines. This type of exhibit provides a more appropriate historical context for the collections. Several national rooms are still extant (Netherlands, Spain, Latin America, Canada, Japan) but the contributions of individuals and nations are now integrated throughout exhibits such as Radiology, Orthopedics, Ophthalmology, Anesthesia, Urology, and Heart Surgery, totaling 22 exhibit galleries on the Museum's four floors.

The "Anatomy in the Gallery" exhibition program, developed in 1998 to introduce a contemporary art element into the historic Museum, presents work by contemporary artists dealing with a range of medically related themes. The exhibitions include work of a challenging and innovative nature relating to anatomy, death, disease/wellness, disability, and other medical issues.

Over the past decade, the International Museum of Surgical Science has made significant progress in strengthening its educational programs and exhibits, as well as in the conservation of its noteworthy collections and historic landmark building. The Museum looks forward to continuing this progress, and to a future of bringing the international aspects of science, history and art to an increasing audience from the entire world.

The mission of the Museum is to enrich people's lives by enhancing their appreciation and understanding of the history, development, and advances of surgery and related subjects in health and medicine. In support of this, we are committed to:

Portraying through exhibits and other appropriate media, the art and science of surgery, and related subjects.

Providing programs and services for the education and enjoyment of the public, students, and the medical profession.

Preserving our collection for the education, inspiration, and aesthetic enrichment of future generations.

Gaining recognition as a leader among medical and health museums worldwide.

The beautiful and haunting statue by Chaissing called Hope and help, and below that the Hall of immortals as a party place! 

That's how a museum pays its rent and no one resents its upkeep.