Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death

After reading an article about the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death, I discovered via the Atlas Obscura website that these amazing dioramas are housed at the Maryland Medical Examiner’s Office in Baltimore. A friend and I just so happened to be planning a trip to Baltimore so a phone call was placed and an appointment was made with Bruce.
The simplest explanation is that Frances Glessner Lee, a Chicago heiress, recreated these miniature crime scenes as a police training tool. But that truly in no way prepares you for what you see in that room or the history behind it all. There are really no words to explain the intricate detail involved in each scene she created. We took many pictures, but they don’t do it justice. Each diorama is both hauntingly beautiful and gruesome. We spent a good bit of time closely examining each crime scene and reading the corresponding description. There are also photos and history hanging around the room to help further explain how this room came to be.
If you’re a fan of forensics, horror, crime scenes or miniatures I would definitely recommend finding time to make an appointment. You be blown away.