collections

Our world-class collections are the heart of our free museum and library.

We collect and preserve a wide variety of historic objects, artworks, photographs, books, oral histories, videos, and documents that reveal how developments in the history of chemistry, chemical engineering, and the life sciences are embedded in our daily lives.

View

Visitors can view objects that uncover more than 500 years of scientific history in our free museum. Come see selections from our much larger collection, found in both our permanent exhibition and rotating temporary gallery. We’re open Wednesday through Saturday, 10am to 5pm. Or you can check out our digital collections 24/7.

Ask

Are you wondering if the Institute has a particular item in our archives or museum? Do you have a research question for our librarians? Fill out this form, email us at reference@sciencehistory.org, or call us at 215.629.5146. You can also search our collections online.

Research

Since we can only display a small number of items at a time, researchers can make an appointment to view the rest of our vast library, archival, and museum collections. The Jacobs Reading Room is open Monday through Friday, 10am to 4pm.

Donate

We actively collect and preserve materials that tell the history of science. If you would like to donate books, archival materials, or photographs, please contact acquisitions@sciencehistory.org. To donate fine art or objects, please fill out this form. Our curators will accept or decline offers in accordance with our collections policy.

Featured image: Painted Lead Soldiers, before 1978. Science History Institute.