Curious Histories Fest
Curious Histories Fest is the Science History Institute’s annual celebration of science, history, exploration, and experimentation.
Curious Histories Fest 2025: What’s for Lunch?
Inspired by our current exhibition Lunchtime: The History of Science on the School Food Tray, our third annual festival will be held on Saturday, June 14, 2025. This year we’re exploring the history of food science and efforts to feed children in U.S. schools.
Have you ever wondered where our food comes from and where it goes? Who decides what foods are nutritious? Who will do the cooking? What are vitamins exactly? How do we feed schoolchildren nationwide? Do you love lunch? And learning?
Join us for fun activities, craft making, engaging talks, and live demos. Then explore our museum and see special collections showcasing surprising food histories. Enjoy FREE lunch samples from around the Philly region, special guests, live music, and so much more!
Curious Histories Fest is open to all ages. Admission, programs, food, and drink are all FREE. No reservations are necessary.
Major funding for Curious Histories Fest is provided by the Bolte Family Foundation with additional support from The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage.
Curious Histories Fest 2024: Color Your World
Inspired by our BOLD: Color from Test Tube to Textile exhibition, our second annual festival was held on Saturday, June 8, 2024.
A record-setting 536 guests enjoyed family activities, hands-on crafts, engaging talks, and live dyeing demos. Our museum featured special collections showcasing strange and wondrous color and dye histories. The day also included food trucks, special guests, and live music.
Curious Histories Fest 2023: A Taste of Water
The theme of our inaugural festival, “A Taste of Water,” featured a daylong celebration of the water in your world. Held on Saturday, June 10, 2023, more than 350 visitors enjoyed free hands-on activities and family-friendly fun, as well as exciting talks, tours, and highlights from our special collections.