The Morbid Anatomy Museum + Library
Last Friday I was browsing the New York Times site like I always do when I first settle into work, when I came across an event listing for the opening of the Morbid Anatomy Museum. I knew immediately that I needed to go, before even doing a second more of research based on the name alone. But of course I soon got lost in a rabbit hole of articles, blog posts and finally the Morbid Anatomy site itself — so much so that I actually had to take a break because I was overwhelming myself with excitement (this is not a rare occurrence in my life, but a serious one nonetheless).
The museum and library appeared to be tailor-made for me and people like me who can't get enough of all things weird, creepy and dead. Even the opening exhibition —The Art of Mourning— aligned perfectly with the books I've been reading recently about mourning practices and funeral rituals.
I went on Saturday, which was opening day, and I immediately paid the $50 to become a member. Membership includes free admission to the museum and use of the library, as well as discounts on the gift shop and lectures, but supporting the museum was really just as important to me. I don't have much money to throw around, but when I find something as super amazing and perfect for me as a museum devoted entirely to curiosities, I can stand to trade in a few potential Starbucks drinks to lend my support.
The three-floor space is industrial and welcoming, with a ground floor cafe and gift shop, an upstairs exhibition gallery and the adjoining library. You can't take photographs of the current exhibition, but it's definitely worth seeing in person. There is a wonderful collection of really creepy death photographs, an exhibit on hair art (ew), a few death masks and various pieces of memorial art.
You can, however, take photographs in the library, which is filled with fascinating and hard-to-find books (obviously) as well as some great taxidermy, specimen jars, bones, models, paintings, more photographs and tons of other weird and wonderful odds and ends.
Aside from the fact that I'm a member, I have a feeling that I'll be spending a lot of time at the museum and library, and even the cafe — I ordered a latte for the sole reason that they had a really disgusting, vintage pull-down chart on bacteria hanging behind the counter. I don't know about you, but nothing makes me hungrier than looking at illustrations of the bacteria that causes typhoid or boils. As soon as I saw that chart I knew that I had found a place where I would never feel strange — a place where I can read my books about the plague, or cemeteries, or poisons, or medical experiments without judgement or sideways glances — and with free access to the library, I'll never be at a loss for creepy reading material ever again.
