University Park, Pa. — This spring, the HUB-Robeson Galleries on Penn State's University Park campus will be home to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s traveling exhibition, "Deadly Medicine: Creating the Master Race." The exhibition will run from Feb. 16 to May 2, in the Robeson Gallery, located on the bookstore level of the HUB-Robeson Center. An opening reception will be held next to the gallery from 5 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 16. Immediately after the reception, Susan Bachrach, curator of special exhibitions at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., will give a talk in the HUB auditorium.
From 1933 to 1945, the Nazi regime led a campaign to eliminate those deemed “undesirable.” This exhibit will take a critical look at how science and medicine were used to legitimize persecution and genocide. “Deadly Medicine: Creating the Master Race” will motivate visitors to consider complex issues people face today, such as how culture and politics affect the conduct and application of science. It informs patrons on topics including ethics of medicine and public health, the promise and limitations of genetics, and the balance between the rights of the individual and the interests of the larger community.
At 7 p.m. on Feb. 16, Bachrach will provide a brief overview of the exhibition, which documents the willing collaboration of many prominent physicians and scientists with the Nazi regime to implement eugenic policies aimed at improving the hereditary health of the nation. Questions and comments on the exhibition will be welcomed, including thoughts regarding the relevance of this history to contemporary medical and bioethical concerns.
Bachrach oversees all phases of select special exhibitions at the museum, including the historic research, identification of artifacts, design and creation of accompanying publications. Since joining the Museum in 1992, Bachrach has worked on many exhibitions, including "Liberation 1945" and "NAZI OLYMPICS Berlin 1936." She has also authored many educational publications including the award-winning book for younger readers "Tell Them We Remember." She received her Bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College and her doctorate from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in Modern European History.
“Deadly Medicine: Creating the Master Race” is organized and circulated by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. It has been made possible by The Lerner Foundation and Eric F. and Lore Ross.
The Robeson Gallery is open from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, from noon to 4 p.m. on Friday through Sunday, and is closed on Mondays. Admission is free -- to schedule a visit or to get more information about this and other exhibitions, call 814-865-0775 or visit http://www.sa.psu.edu/usa/galleries online.