Macaulay Museum of Dentistry
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Dr. Neil Macaulay was a key figure in the development of education for South Carolina dentists in the early 20th century. The museum was built to display his eclectic collection of dental tools and equipment in the 1960’s in a 600 square-foot, free-standing building on the campus. The project involved a complete building renovation and the creation of new exhibits in a climate-controlled environment. LED track and case lighting provided artifact-safe illumination. The space was staffed when visitors were allowing for close proximity to collection objects in open areas.
The exhibit plan included five office settings of different time periods. Wall cases were themed around aspects of dentistry – extraction, anesthesia, etc. The themed cases alternated with “array” cases which were densely filled with multiples of objects – an open storage approach. Lower cabinets provided collection storage.
Hutchinson Studios provided start-to-finish services including preliminary project scope, concept design, exhibit design and installation services working with the museum and contractors.
2017
