THE PHILADELPHIA MUTTER MUSEUM – 150TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY PHOTOS

According to Cooper on Tripadvisor: I knew someone who grew up in a Phila suburb who raved about the Mutter, and made several visits there. So when I went to the country, we took a day trip to Phila, just to see that museum.IT WAS FABULOUS, AND SO INTERESTING AND INFORMATIVE! I am not into medical stuff or doctors, but I was enthralled! What brought PCC there last Friday night was their 15oth Anniversary. When I first read about the event, I couldn’t believe my lucky stars, how awesome would it be to have a party in the Mutter, of course I always thought a Halloween Party would have been well suited, I was wrong, because even though this is a museum of oddities, it also a college of medicine; The College of Physicians of Philadelphia which advances the cause of health while upholding the ideals and heritage of medicine. The hours 7 – 8PM were reserved for cocktails, then 8PM dinner and 9PM Disco time. When I first arrived I was under dressed, I was thinking 70’s Disco Dance cocktail hour dress, oh well there will be no photos of me today.
Enjoying the festivities are Socialite Luther Brady and Bobbett Beider
Melinda Villescas, Emily Snedden, Tara Caton, Anna Dhody, and Elle Saine
The stylish Tim Merrick and Janet LaValley
Curator Anna Dhody, with College Trustee Shirley Bonnem and Joan Lapayowker of the Women’s Committe.Mike Lutolf and Nicole Armani. Note the interesting, fuzzy purse Nicole is styling.
Did you know you could rent the Mutter for your organization, meeting, party or gala? It’s really a beautiful venue with lots of different rooms.
Our one-of-a-kind treasures include:

• The plaster cast of the torso of world-famous Siamese Twins, Chang & Eng, and their conjoined livers
• Joseph Hyrtl’s collection of skulls
• Preserved body of the “Soap Lady”
• Collection of 2,000 objects extracted from people’s throats
• Cancerous growth removed from President Grover Cleveland
• Tallest skeleton on display in North America

Tonight was not only a celebration of the Mütter Museum, but of it’s long time director Gretchen Worden, who devoted her entire professional career to revitalizing the Mütter Museum of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, and died August 2nd, 2004 after a brief illness. Ms. Worden relied on an encyclopedic knowledge of medical history, a tart sense of humor and a compelling television presence to forge an international reputation as a museum educator and spokeswoman for the Mütter. Her recent book about the museum became a best seller. She was a frequent guest on “The Late Show With David Letterman” and appeared in numerous science documentaries produced by the BBC. Ms. Worden, who was 57, continued to work until a few days before her death.
Many of her friends and family were on hand to see the unveiling of her portrait which will be housed at the museum. Nina Tafel told me that Gretchen never thought she was big boned, but in fact her remains didn’t fit in just one urn and two were used as well as the spreading of her ashes in Cape May. But it was her candor that came through that the items house at the Mutter Museum is not to be feared, nor is our mortality, but accepted as a matter of life.
The artist Alexandra Tyng, daughter of famed Philadelphia architect, Louis Kahn, admires the wonderful portrait she did of Gretchen. (I just saw the movie MY ARCHITECT – A SON´S JOURNEY based on Louis Kahn, which was fascinating. Just yesterday I passed by his old office and looked towards the window he looked out.) Alexandra’s portrait of Gretchen Worden is just breathtaking in size and realism.
Later that night, when I watched my Tivo I saw Gretchen’s urn featured on NBC10 news as they reported the story of the Mutter Museum’s 150th Anniversary. I noticed the detail just a little better, and love the faux fur and Marilyn Monroe label. I am sure just as MM’s legacy remains strong, all the good works that Gretchen created will keep her legacy alive at the Museum. Dinner 8PM in the side room.
9PM Disco Time
Some folks skipped the dinner and came dressed appropriately for the night
Others were given props on their way in
This women did an outfit change, because she wore a simple black dress to the dinner. I love it when people go that extra mile to bring it!
I was blown away with the set up by Sherwood Smith-Soley of http://usnotme.net/
This event was really a hidden gem, unless you read the PhillyChitChat calendar as I put it up a few weeks back. $85 later reduced to $35 – 4 hr open bar, dessert, and the best lights, and music by my friendthe great WXPN DJ Robert Drake, on the left with partner John Stanley.
In my best Austin Power’s accent “Looking smashing baby”… Jennifer Brockenbrough and Gregory McDaniel
Everyone seemed to have a ball
Including Matt Carter, Emily Behar and Charles Miller and Andrew Rosenthal. Andrew wants you to celebrate with us as we join University of Pennsylvania Alumni Clubs from around the world in saluting our Founder, Benjamin Franklin! We will honor Ben’s legacy with a beer tasting on Saturday, January 17th from 4pm-6pm at Center City’s own Nodding Head Brewery.

And thanks to these folks for bringing it together tonight for us, J Bazzel, Jon Goff, Kellie Goldberg and Sherwood Smith-SoleySteve Tyson Smashing Baby!! Bringing it!!
The Mütter Museum is run by the College of Physicians and is open to the general public. (Make sure you catch The Mutter Museum documentary currently being broadcast on the Discovery Channel).

Admission:
General Admission (Ages 18-64): $12
Children (Ages 6-17): $8
Senior Citizens (Age 65+): $8
Students with valid ID: $8
Student groups: $6 per student
Fellows of the College: FREE
Children under 6: FREE