Chicago International Museum of Surgical Science

This museum opened up to the public on September 9, 1954.  It was the result of the work of Dr. Max Thorek who founded the International College of Surgeons (ICS) in 1935.  The museum was originally designed as a repository for the growing collection of historical surgical instrumentation, art, and books.  Dr. Max Thorek was also an internationally acclaimed amateur photographer and author of several books.

This museum is housed in an old mansion that was owned by Eleanor Robinson Countiss to house her family.  Her father JK Robinson was an executive at the Diamond Match Company and he provided the home building fund for her.  The building was acquired by Dr. Max Thorek and the International College of Surgeons.

There are many interesting displays inside the museum that are definitely worth the look.  A cab ride can be taken from the Ogilve or Union Station (about 15 minutes in light traffic) to visit.  Of particular interest to me were the trephined skulls from Peru.  

It is my opinion (all though not stated in the display at the museum) that these skulls had some sort of alteration done to them before trephination such as head binding and possibly some cradleboard effects.   This is a subject that I am studying on my own and hope to correlate and explain at some time in the future.  

Here are some photos from the museum:

https://imss.org/

https://www.ancient.eu/Trephination/

Surprise at the Chicago Cultural Center

The Chicago Cultural Center was completed in 1897 as Chicago's first central library.  It became a cultural center in 1991.  The landmark building is home to two fantastic stained-glass domes, art exhibits, performances, films, and more.  The Tiffany stained-glass dome is more well known.  When I went to visit, I asked to find the Tiffany dome but I was told by a lady that the dome on the 2nd floor was worth looking at even though it was less known.  I decided to check it out and to my surprise it was a dome room and ballroom dedicated to the Union Soldiers of the Civil War.  I was silent when I realized this because I am researching this time period extensively and had no idea what I was going to find upon my visit.  If I had not asked for directions to the 3rd floor dome of this particular lady, I would never have visited the 2nd floor dome to take in its full beauty and meaning.  I was silenced as this is just one of the many synchronicities I am experiencing right now in my life.  This place is worth the visit.

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/chicago_culturalcenter.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Army_of_the_Republic

"The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) was a fraternal organization composed of veterans of the Union Army (United States Army), Union Navy (U.S. Navy), Marines and the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service who served in the American Civil War. Founded in 1866 in Decatur, Illinois, and growing to include hundreds of posts (local community units) across the nation (predominately in the North, but also a few in the South and West), it was dissolved in 1956 at the death of its last member, Albert Woolson (1850–1956) of Duluth, Minnesota. Linking men through their experience of the war, the G.A.R. became among the first organized advocacy groups in American politics, supporting voting rights for black veterans, promoting patriotic education, helping to make Memorial Day a national holiday, lobbying the United States Congress to establish regular veterans' pensions, and supporting Republican political candidates. Its peak membership, at more than 490,000, was in 1890, a high point of various Civil War commemorative and monument dedication ceremonies. It was succeeded by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW), composed of male descendants of Union Army and Union Navy veterans." - Wikipedia

The Grand Army of the Republic badge. Authorized by the U.S. Congress to be worn on the uniform by Union Army veterans.  CC BY-SA 3.0 by Parsa

Reverse of the Grand Army of the Republic Badge.

My photos from the Chicago Cultural Center (2nd floor dome - GAR Memorial Hall)

Treasures Found at Broadway Antique Market

Broadway Antique Market (also known as BAM) is a wonderful place to visit on the North side of Chicago.  It has a large collection of mid-century (1950s/1960s) furniture and items, but it also has quite a few hidden treasures.  I found a Native American drum which I purchased and was very tempted to purchase some unique silver vintage jewelry.  This place is worth a visit or more to see what treasures await for you.  One of the owners wrote a book, which I did purchase and read, about his fascinating experiences in the vintage industry.  Some of the experiences include hauntings/paranormal activity associated with some of the items being sold as well as other unique experiences.  I recommend it.

http://bamchicago.com/

A Race of Giants Lived in Lake County, IL

A race of giants were found in the mounds when the early pioneers came to Lake County. Many were over 7 feet tall. They didn't leave much in the matter of records and their skeletons were falling apart. Who were they? We won't ever know until the Smithsonian is put in check and we are allowed to fully examine their DNA without interference. That day will be coming.  Here is the page from the book with the testimony.

"Of the very early history of the region which now embraces Lake County but little can be written. The Mound Builders had occupied it and passed away, leaving no written language and but little even as tradition. They had erected their piles of earth, usually from the surface soil, and underneath them had deposited the remains of their dead, together with bits of pottery and a few rude implements of husbandry and warfare. The mounds were quite numerous along the rivers and in the vicinity of the inland lakes. That they were of great antiquity is evident from the fact that huge forest trees had come to maturity upon their summits and were awaiting the ax of the pioneer. Excavations of these piles of earth have revealed the crumbling bones of a mighty race. Samuel Miller, who has resided in the county since 1835, is authority for the statement that one skeleton which he assisted in unearthing was a trifle more than eight feet in length, the skull being correspondingly large, while many other skeletons measured at least seven feet. There were extensive burial ground on the shore of Lake Michigan, mainly south of the stream known as Waukegan River; also at various point all through the county."

- Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Lake County Edited by Newton Bateman LL.D, Paul Selby, A.M., and Hon. Charles A. Partridge, Chicago, Munsell Publishing Company, 1900, page 619.