2021 Open House: The Mütter Museum's "Shawarma" Collection

CCAHA Senior Paper Conservator Heather Hendry and Mütter Museum Acting Co-Director Anna Dhody discuss a pilot project to treat and digitize one of dozens of recently discovered spindles of pharmacy receipts from the 1920s-40s. The aged spindles are referred to as "shawarmas" for their uncanny resemblance to the rotisserie meat of the same name. Each full spindle represents months of receipts from a neighborhood pharmacy and could provide a rare snapshot of public health in Philadelphia.
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Submit questions at the link above for our live Zoom Q&A on Thursday, November 18th, 2021.

[@annehoskins1702]

Anyone who cares about the Mütter needs to speak up now, as the administration is actively in the process of dismantling it.
The educational opportunities that the Mütter provides are invaluable, and already rapidly disappearing.
If you’d like to see the collection preserved and available to the public, SPEAK UP NOW.

[@sarah2.017]

Are you serious? Losing the Mutter would be horrible.

[@kelseytwombly1860]

Okay, but speak up where? Is there a link or an email?

[@Lisa_MS64]

I'm so thankful that someone at the pharmacy recognized the value of this information. How many similar troves are still out there and how many ended up in the landfill?

[@RockinGrandma]

Loved the Mutter as a kid...part of why I went into medicine. As a pharmacist from before electronic prescription days...those are great to see.

[@MrsVMom]

This is so cool!

[@Sharonmxg]

how do I get hired to be one of the humans transcribing the handwritten prescriptions? I read medical records for a living as a coder, but using my working knowledge to decipher these antique prescriptions would be deeply satisfying.

[@Metonymy1979]

Any of your local art museums, medical historical archives, and historical museums may have openings. However, they usually require a librarian or archival degree.

[@Sharonmxg]

@@Metonymy1979 well, going back to school for a degree in library. Science is not really in the cards for me. I just wanna volunteer my time to help somebody who does have that degree.

[@jrberwick897]

That's amazing Ms Anna 🌹❤️‍🔥🕯️🪔

[@johndemeen5575]

You get paid for this? Who’s money? What part of government? St.Paul,Minnesota.