Philadelphia’s Mütter Museum is expanding into the adjacent Swedenborgian Church and Parish House, with construction set to begin in early 2026. The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, which oversees the museum, purchased the property for $9.3 million in 2023 and has raised $27 million to create a unified campus. The expansion will add new rotating galleries, a larger museum store, and multi-purpose educational spaces, allowing the museum to display more of its nearly 500,000 objects currently in storage.
The expansion follows a two-year ethical review of the museum’s policies regarding its controversial displays of human remains, and the previous director exited her post over the summer amid that review. By increasing gallery space and programming, the museum aims to strengthen its role as a trusted voice in medicine and public health while inspiring future healthcare leaders. The project represents a significant institutional transformation for one of Philadelphia’s most distinctive museums.