Featuring rare, never-before-seen artifacts, instruments, and photographs once owned by the Lockwood and Mathews families, as well as on loan from major private collections and public institutions, this new exhibition will explore how families managed their health in the 19th century. The exhibit will investigate what history can teach us about the Germ Theory, the Civil War and its medical legacy, changes in nutrition and self-care, and the extraordinary breakthroughs in technology that rocked the medical establishment leading to the birth of modern medicine and public health. This exploration will also bring to light unconventional treatments and rising addiction rates, which were pervasive in the 19^th century through the unregulated and wide-spread access of popular over-the-counter “remedies” promising pain relief and improved health.  Health, Healing & Addiction in 19^th Century America will be curated by Kathleen Motes Bennewitz and generously sponsored in part by CT Humanities.

Prior to the opening of the new exhibition, we would like to share with you a special online preview. Click here to view the introduction preview.

This online preview, which can be viewed on your computer as well as your smart phone or tablet, is a riveting introduction capturing the main themes of the exhibit, which are illustrated with eye-catching artifacts and rare documents. Selected slides will include additional information on the Lockwood and Mathews families, narrated by LMMM Docent Midge Lopat.

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