Visit UB’s ‘brain museum’ and other eclectic collections

UB will open to the public some of its most unique collections, including what’s believed to be the nation’s only museum dedicated exclusively to the human brain.

Collections of such items as medical books from the Middle Ages, Colonial-era dentures, tonics, potions and, of course, human brains will be on view from 4-7 p.m. Oct. 24 in the following museums and collections on the South Campus:

• The Museum of Neuroanatomy (aka Brain Museum). Located in the Biomedical Education Building, the collection features stunning displays of the most complex and mysterious organ found in humans: brains. Built in 1994, the museum is an educational tool for everyone, from kindergartners to neurosurgery students.
• The School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences’ Apothecary and Historical Collections. This collection includes artifacts that date back to the 18th century. Highlights include cigarettes once used to cure asthma and hair-growing tonic from Lockport’s famous Sutherland Sisters.
• The Museum of Radiology and Medical Physics. Located in the Health Sciences Library in Abbott Hall, this collection features several hundred items, including a World War II-era portable X-ray unit and original gas X-ray tubes.
• The Robert L. Brown History of the Health Sciences Collection. Also located in Abbott Hall, this collection includes rare books dating back to 1493 and more than 200 medical instruments from Roman times to the late 20th century.
• The George W. Ferry Dental Museum. Located in Squire Hall, this collection includes a replica of a dentist’s office, circa 1900, a set of ivory-carved dentures from the 17th century and other dental artifacts. This collection will be open from 4-6 p.m.

In addition, UB will host a panel discussion from 6:45-7:45 p.m. in the Roswell Park Room in the Health Sciences Library about the importance of the history of medicine for medical humanities, changing trends in psychiatry and other topics. The discussion will feature James Bono, associate professor; and Michael Rembis, and David Herzberg, assistant professors, all from the Department of History, College of Arts and Sciences.

Those wishing to attend the discussion are encouraged to RSVP by contacting Linda Lohr at 829-5737 or lalohr@buffalo.edu, or Keith Mages at 829-5737 or kcmages@buffalo.edu.