colorful illustrations depicting “thought-forms” made visible through clairvoyance captured from two mournerscolorful illustrations depicting “thought-forms” made visible through clairvoyance captured from two mourners
COLLECTIONS BLOG

A Dance with the Occult

What Theosophy reveals about a moment when science and the occult were not so neatly opposed.

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a museum educator explains what a flowerpot is to a fireworks exhibition visitor at the Science History Institutea museum educator explains what a flowerpot is to a fireworks exhibition visitor at the Science History Institute
EVENTS

Educator Night: Flash! Bang! Boom!

Educators: learn how you can incorporate the science, history, and spectacle of fireworks into your classroom.

Thursday, May 14 | 4pm-6pm

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DISTILLATIONS MAGAZINE

The Soapy Origins of a Sandalwood Smuggler

A war between police and a notorious outlaw riveted South India for more than a decade. At the conflict’s roots was a centuries-old saga of scarcity and control.

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illustration of colorful flowersillustration of colorful flowers
EXHIBITIONS

First-Class Flora: A Stamp Collection of Medicinal Plants

This outdoor exhibition presents a unique historical intersection between professional science and a personal hobby.

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Flash! Bang! Boom!
A History of Fireworks

Part of America’s 250th birthday celebration, this sparkling new exhibition explores the origins of and the science behind fireworks. 

On view through July 31, 2027

Collect. Preserve. Interpret. Share.

Through research, storytelling, public programming, and educational outreach, we reveal how science is embedded in our daily lives.

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