10 Shocking Secrets Uncovered At The Bone Museum: NYC's Only Human Osteology Collection

The Bone Museum in Brooklyn, New York, is not your average cultural institution; it is a meticulously curated, one-of-a-kind repository dedicated to the fascinating—and often misunderstood—world of medical osteology. As of today, December 10, 2025, this unique space continues to draw global attention for its commitment to demystifying the human skeleton and exploring the complex history of the medical bone trade.

Tucked away in the historic McKibbin Lofts, The Bone Museum offers a captivating journey that shifts the narrative around human remains from the macabre to the purely scientific and historical. Founded by expert collector Jon Pichaya Ferry, the museum's collection features over a hundred specimens, including real human skeletons used for medical study, rare pathological examples, and unique artifacts that tell the silent, powerful stories of life, disease, and trauma.

The Visionary Behind the Bones: Jon Pichaya Ferry Profile

The entire existence of The Bone Museum is the realization of a lifelong passion held by its founder, Jon Pichaya Ferry. His journey from a curious student to a preeminent figure in the world of osteology is as unique as the museum itself.

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• Full Name: Jon Pichaya Ferry
• Role: Founder and President of The Bone Museum / JonsBones
• Location: Brooklyn, New York, US
• Focus: Medical Osteology and Skeletal Education
• Origin of Passion: Ferry's interest in osteology began at a young age, famously starting with a request to borrow his high school’s rat skeleton.
• Career Trajectory: He began as a private collector, meticulously building a collection of real human skeletons and osteological materials. His expertise led him to supply specimens and materials to various institutions, including the respected Siriraj Medical Museum.
• Founding the Museum: Ferry established JonsBones in 2018, initially as a bone supply company. The Bone Museum, which opened in 2022, was a natural evolution, allowing the public to engage directly with his extensive and ethically-sourced collection.
• Mission: To open the doors to a world where bones are often hidden, providing educational context on the history of the medical bone trade and challenging common misconceptions.

Unveiling The Rarest Exhibits: 5 Shocking Artifacts You Must See

The Bone Museum is celebrated for its commitment to showcasing specimens that reveal profound medical and historical narratives. The collection moves beyond simple anatomy, focusing on unique pathologies and skeletal variations that are rarely seen in public display. These artifacts transform the bones from mere objects into powerful educational tools.

1. The Gigantism Exhibit: A Triumph of Scale
   One of the most significant and recent additions to the museum is the skeletal remains of an individual with Gigantism. This rare condition, caused by an excess of growth hormone, results in an unusually large stature. The acquisition of this "Giant Skeleton" was a major undertaking and is considered one of the most compelling displays of unique pathologies in the United States. The exhibit not only showcases the massive size of the bones but also explores the life and medical history of the individual, providing a narrative of "Tragedy to Triumph."
2. The 140+ Spine Wall: A Masterpiece of Curvature
   A visually stunning and highly educational piece is the museum’s famous "Spine Wall." This installation features over 140 individual spines, allowing visitors to compare the vast array of normal and pathological variations in the human vertebral column. It serves as a powerful illustration of skeletal variations and the subtle ways disease and trauma can alter the body’s central support structure.
3. Bones Gone Wrong: Pathological Specimens
   The museum dedicates a substantial section to "pathological specimens," which are bones that show clear signs of disease, trauma, and other afflictions. These bones tell "horrifying stories" of past medical conditions, including severe arthritis, bone tumors, and fractures that healed incorrectly. These exhibits are crucial for understanding the history of human health and the progression of various illnesses.
4. Trauma-Affected Bones: The Scars of History
   Beyond disease, the collection includes specimens that show the unmistakable marks of trauma. These "trauma-affected bones" provide a stark, undeniable record of injuries, accidents, and violence. By exhibiting these pieces, the museum offers a deeper look into forensic science and the physical history of human interaction and survival.
5. Historical Bone Art and Artifacts
   The collection also features unique artifacts made from bone, which highlight the historical use of osteological materials beyond direct medical study. These pieces of "bone art" and historical tools connect the scientific collection to the broader cultural and artistic history of human remains, demonstrating their value as both educational and artistic mediums throughout time.

The Ethics of Osteology: Demystifying The Medical Bone Trade

A core element of The Bone Museum’s mission is to address the complex ethical and historical issues surrounding the acquisition and display of human remains. In a world where the provenance of such collections is often questioned, the museum stands as a beacon of transparency and education.

The History of Skeletal Sourcing

The museum delves into the intriguing, yet sometimes dark, history of the "medical bone trade." For centuries, medical schools, universities, and private collectors required human skeletons for the study of human anatomy. The Bone Museum’s exhibits explore how these specimens were historically sourced, often involving complex and controversial practices from different parts of the world.

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By openly discussing this history, the museum helps visitors understand the origin of the specimens and the evolution of ethical standards in osteology. This historical context is vital for appreciating the modern, highly regulated approach to skeletal education.

Commitment to Ethical Display and Provenance

Jon Pichaya Ferry and the JonsBones organization emphasize that all specimens in The Bone Museum are ethically sourced, primarily from historical medical collections and suppliers with documented provenance. The focus is on educational and scientific value, ensuring that the remains are treated with respect and dignity.

The museum actively works to combat "common misunderstandings" about the bone trade by providing clear, detailed information about the acquisition process. This commitment to ethical practice is what gives the museum its topical authority and credibility in the scientific community.

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More Than Just Bones: Education and Conservation

The Bone Museum acts as a vital educational resource, not just for the general public, but also for researchers, artists, and students of human anatomy. The depth of the collection provides an unparalleled opportunity to study skeletal variations, trauma, and the effects of disease up close.

The museum also hosts various events and educational programs, further cementing its role as a center for osteology education. By providing a safe and respectful environment to explore the human skeleton, The Bone Museum ensures that these silent teachers continue to contribute to the understanding of human life and history for generations to come.