Due to exhibition construction, the museum is temporarily closed.
Our First Friday event has been rescheduled to March 13.

Vibrant, dazzling, BOLD: Our world is full of color.

But how do you capture a rainbow? Through chemistry, we imitate the hues found in nature or innovate a spectrum of new shades.

colorful graphic for BOLD exhibition

Join the Science History Institute as we celebrate the opening of our newest exhibition, BOLD: Color from Test Tube to Textile. Drawing on rich collections of dye sample books, vivid clothing, and unique scientific instruments, BOLD explores more than 150 years of synthetic dye-making, from the laboratory and the factory, to the runway and the home, from mauve to shocking pink and every tint in between.

The evening will feature a curator’s talk, fun fashion, hands-on crafts, pop-up displays, and more! Curator Elisabeth Berry Drago will answer your questions and share behind-the-scenes stories from the making of BOLD.

Be the first to tour the exhibition, then snap a pic at our virtual photo booth, try your hand at fashion sketching and collage, and enjoy light refreshments. Wear your most vibrant looks, and you can participate in our colorful costume contest . . . you may even take home a BOLD prize! We’re also giving away a limited-edition BOLD swag bag to the first 150 visitors* through the door.

*one (1) swag bag per family

Special Guests

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More events

woman wearing glasses and plaid skirt in front of lab glassware
March 7, 2026
Drop-In Tours

Women in Chemistry Tour

[RESCHEDULED TO MARCH 21] Drop in for a tour highlighting the central role of women in shaping chemistry and the material sciences throughout history.

illustrated note about a frog
March 9, 2026
Science on Tap

What Frogs and Octopuses Know (That ChatGPT Doesn’t)

Won Jeon shows how AI produces convincing language while lacking the situational awareness that powers the communication of living organisms.

Museum educator Laura Prewitt speaks out the nylon exhibit with a man who using a white cane.
March 10, 2026
Museum Programs & Activities

From Nature to Nylons: A Touch-Based History of Textiles

This touch-based tour offers guests a private learning experience that combines a personally guided exploration of select gallery exhibits and a hands-on study of objects from our collections.

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