Wellcome Collection Shuts Down 'Medicine Man' Exhibition Over Racist, Sexist, and Ableist Content

London's Wellcome Collection has permanently closed its long-running 'Medicine Man' exhibition, declaring the display of founder Henry Wellcome's medical objects perpetuates racist, sexist, and ableist narratives. The institution announced the decision through social media posts questioning the fundamental purpose of museums. Henry Wellcome, an American pharmaceutical magnate who died in 1936, amassed the collection during the 19th century with the goal of understanding healing across history. The museum now acknowledges this acquisition was deeply problematic, raising ethical questions about ownership, acquisition methods, and the right to narrate others' stories. The collection ultimately presented a global health narrative that exoticized, marginalized, and exploited disabled individuals, Black communities, Indigenous peoples, and people of color, often omitting them entirely. Established in 1997 as part of the Wellcome Trust, the museum is funded through a legacy covenant. Despite contemporary artist interventions in 'Medicine Man' that contextualized the colonial nature of Wellcome's patronage, leadership concluded displaying the objects inherently reinforces harmful historical theories. Former Iniva director Melanie Keen, appointed as director in 2019, oversees the institution. No replacement exhibition has been announced. The Wellcome Trust originated from Burroughs Wellcome & Company, one of four firms that later merged to form GlaxoSmithKline.