The collection was created by professor of anatomy, Burt Green Wilder.
He was a member of the American Anthropometric Society, but quit in 1891 due to their restrictions that all brains be stored in Philadelphia.
He believed that much could be learned about psychology from studying the anatomy of the brain.
Part of the collection is on display in Uris Hall on the Cornell campus.
Brains on display include those of several notable individuals: The collection also includes a piece of a pumpkin that was placed on the spire of McGraw Tower in 1997.