As a result of the spending cuts in 2011, the museum which opened several times a week during the summer months is now closed and discussions have been taking place with community organisations about its future. In the meantime, artefacts have been removed for safekeeping.
Hunter House was originally a small farmhouse, known as Long Calderwood, and is possibly the oldest building in East Kilbride .
The farmhouse was the birthplace and childhood home of two famous eighteenth century medical pioneers, William and John Hunter.
William Hunter, who was born in 1718, studied at Glasgow and Edinburgh Universities , before moving to London, where he became well-known as a surgeon and obstetrician. His wealthy clients included members of the royal family.
William became a teacher of anatomy and surgery and opened his own medical school in 1768. As his reputation and wealth grew, his collection of anatomical specimens expanded to include works of art, as well as coins and books.
After his death in 1783, his collection was gifted to Glasgow University, forming the basis of the present Hunterian Museum there. William's younger brother, John, also went to London , firstly as an assistant in his brother's anatomy school.He then became an army surgeon, spending three years in France and Portugal, where he developed new ideas on the treatment of gunshot wounds. When John returned to England he set up in private practice, and by the 1780s was regarded as the leading teacher of surgery. He is today recognised as the founder of scientific surgery.
Hunter House Museum told the story of the childhood, life and work of the Hunter brothers.