The past and present of medical museums in Portugal

Abstract

This article examines the emergence, expansion and transformations of museums of medicine in Portugal. It aims to further the understanding of these museums by placing them in relation to multiple settings: the appearance of similar institutions throughout Europe, the development of medical teaching and research in Portugal, and the growth of scientific museums. It seeks to identify the individual and institutional actors behind the creation of museums, their motivations and the purposes these institutions aim to serve. The article shows that, although the trend for setting up these museums started in the eighteenth century and gained significant momentum in the early decades of the twentieth century, most of them were short-lived and failed to meet their creators’ expectations and intentions. It is only in recent years that the twin purposes of protecting historical medical heritage and promoting the public understanding of medical sciences have supported the growth of medical museums and exhibitions.