Education

Scroll down to see more content

Virtual Tours

In-Person Group Rates

Youth K-12$9 Per StudentMinimum of 10
Higher Education
Adults		$13 Per PersonMinimum of 10
After-Hours Tours
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM		$20 Per PersonMinimum of 20

Reservations Are Required

School Field Trips

The International Museum of Surgical Science is housed in a historic mansion on Lake Shore Drive. It features exhibits from around the world that traces the fascinating story of surgery’s development through the ages.

The Museum’s collections, appropriate for grades 4 and up, include art and artifacts that deal with surgery as well as history, science, health, and cultural studies. A field trip to the Museum can be used to complement classroom topics ranging from human anatomy to medical careers and history.

Field Trip Programs

We offer hour-long programs at the Museum: select a full guided tour, a shortened tour with one activity, or two activities. The Amputation Demonstration or Surgical Instrument Identification complements the self-guided and guided tours of the Museum with hands-on student interactivity. Supplementary material is available upon request.

  • Field trips and student programs are available for groups of 10 or more.
  • Book your group at least two weeks in advance to receive the group rate.  Please note that pre-registration for field trips is required.
  • The Museum can accommodate field trips of up to 100 students per day. Groups larger than 35 may be split up into rotations.
  • One chaperone/educator per 10 students is required. Chaperones are not charged at a 1:10 ratio; any additional pay group rate fee.
  • A credit card is required to be kept on file to book your field trip.
  • Group organizers are responsible for all students and any damages that occur to Museum displays, artifacts, and artworks.
  • There is no parking available at the Museum. Bus parking is available through the Chicago Park District. For more information visit Plan Your Visit.
  • Cancellation Policy: Cancellations are accepted up to 48 hours before your trip. Cancellations within 48 hours and no-shows will be charged 50% of the trip fee.

Guided Tours

Guided tours lead field trip groups on a journey through time as they explore the development of anesthesia, germ theory, and anatomical knowledge. 45 minutes. 35 students maximum per rotation.

Surgical Tool Identification Activity

An educator-led activity that allows students in teams to learn about historical and modern tools of surgery. 30 minutes. 35 students maximum per rotation.

Amputation Demonstration

This interactive demonstration allows students to experience a leg amputation from the mid-1800s, with no anesthesia and no sterilization. This was the most common surgery performed before the discovery of anesthesia and germ theory. 30 minutes. 35 students maximum per rotation.

Submit an Inquiry

Rules

Chaperones and educators are responsible for students’ well-being and conduct in the Museum. They must patrol students for the duration of the field trip to follow the Museum guidelines and rules. The Museum does not have a cafeteria or eating space onsite.

  • No running, yelling, or disturbing Museum visitors.
  • No outside food or drink. No gum allowed.
  • Notebooks and pencils are acceptable; no pens, markers, or other artwork materials.
  • No touching of Museum displays, wall texts, cases, lighting, artworks, or artifacts.

Buses

For information on Chicago Park District bus parking reservations, visit http://www.chicagoparkdistrictparking.com/bus-parking/ 

Testimonies

Our annual visit to the International Museum of Surgical Science is the perfect capstone to the Rush Mini Medical School Program for 4th and 5th graders. The museum’s staff is great to work with and the kids love the exhibits.

Keith Boyd MD, Director, Rush Medical College’s Mini Medical School

Each semester I bring my Comics Narratives: Illness, Disability, and Recovery class from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago for a tour of the IMSS. The lively tours, peppered with stories about shocking surgical scandals, humorous anecdotes, and informative details, have kept my students engaged and eager to learn more as they generate related ideas for comics projects. The trip to the IMSS is always a class favorite, as students are able to place current ideas about health in historical context.

Katharine Houpt, ATR-BC, LCP, Lecturer, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago

To make a reservation, or if you have any questions, contact our team at info@imss.org.