From lurid live leeches to the scariest surgical syringes, Tweed Regional Museum’s newest exhibition, Cure All, will have visitors truly appreciating the benefits of modern health care.
Cure All will simultaneously delight and horrify visitors but also inspire curiosity and intrigue as it explores stories of health and medicine in the Tweed through fascinating objects and photographs from the Museum.
Showcasing more than 200 objects from the Museum’s collection, the exhibition features intriguing, and sometimes disturbing, surgical equipment, vintage first aid kits, killer pills, cure-oil concoctions and illicit potions.
Stories highlight local community spirit in fundraising for essential services such as the ambulance and local hospitals and features a stunning collection of apothecary (medicines and drugs) and medical items from local pharmacies.
Learn about the health professionals that have cared for the Tweed throughout history, marvel at 1920s dentistry equipment and be mesmerised by live leeches on display.
Museum Director Molly Green said the exhibition feels like you are walking into an immersive cabinet of curiosities.
“At a time when we are thinking about health and healing on a global scale, it’s fascinating to look back at the complexity and ingenuity of medical practice since the late 18th Century,” Ms Green said.
Accompanying the exhibition are behind the scenes tours by Curator Erika Taylor.
The tour is interactive and full of surprises, including getting up close and personal with the Museum’s live leeches, and the chance to experience some electrifying quack medicine.
“This exhibition also launches our Nights at the Museum series,” Ms Green said.
“On select Friday nights we will be open with food trucks, pop up bars, live music, exciting workshops and activities for the whole family to enjoy. Stay connected via our socials for all the details.”
Cure All is on from 5 July until 15 October. Visit museum.tweed.nsw.gov.au for more details.
