The Art of Medicine Seminars - Making a Difference - Behind the Scenes at the Museum

Everyday objects used in medicine hold the stories of clinicians and patients. They can represent advances in modern medicine, provoke and sustain personal memories while sometimes perpetuating trauma. Objects act as vessels for our identity and beliefs.

Many medical objects were created with reference to the arts and crafts philosophy to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. They often have design elements that are not obvious in the context of medical care. 
How do we choose which objects to preserve as a record of our time?

How does the process of curation ensure an appropriate balance between an object being the guardian of secrets or a resource to reveal the past?

Museums act as a third space where joy can be celebrated and trauma can be recognised, validated and the process of healing commenced. Their collections enable our present and future selves to connect with the past.

We invite you to hear the stories of objects from the archive at York Medical Society and to bring objects that form part of your medical work or professional identity to share and explore their credentials for a place in our imaginary medical museum.

Click here to book