CHSI


The Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments at Harvard University

 

 

Harvard University has been acquiring scientific instruments on a continuous basis for teaching and research since 1672. The Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments, which was established in 1948 to preserve this apparatus as a resource for teaching and research in the history of science and technology, has become one of the three largest university collections of its kind in the world. Originally associated with the Harvard library system, the Collection was placed under the stewardship of the Department of History of Science in 1987.
                  


 





 

Pictured, clockwise above: Portrait of John Winthrop, Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy (and acting president of Harvard College, 1769 & 1773), with his trusty telescope close at hand (Cassegrain reflecting telescope, James Short, England, c.1758, Inv. Number: 0053) ; Drs. Lee Davenport & Leo Lavatelli at the control console of Harvard's second cyclotron (Inv. Number: 2003-1-0291, U.S.A., c.1950); Ophthalmotrope (Inv. Number: WJ0002, Max Kohl, Germany, c. 1893); Participants use Professor Winthrop's telescope to enjoy Harvard's Festival of the Transit of Venus, 2004; Curator Sara Schechner, flanked by two conservators, examines an armillary sphere in need of repair, 2006. Below: Electrostatic Sign (Inv. Number: 1998-1-0243, U.S.A., c. 1850 ).

 

    

 

Resources

CHSI is one of the

Harvard Museums of
Science & Culture




NOW ON SALE!


Gallery Hours


Putnam Gallery
Science Center 136
Summer Hours:
Monday - Thursday
11:00am - 4:00pm
Friday
11:00am - 3:00pm


Special Exhibitions Gallery
Summer Hours:
Monday - Thursday
9:00am - 4:00pm
Friday
9:00am - 3:00pm


Foyer Exhibition Space
Science Center 371
Summer Hours:
Monday - Thursday
9:00am - 4:00pm
Friday
9:00am - 3:00pm

Free and open to the public.
Children must be escorted by an adult.

Both the Putnam Gallery and Special Exhibitions are closed on University Holidays.

Inquiries: 617-495-2779

Directions

The Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments is located inside the Science Center, 1 Oxford Street, on Harvard's Cambridge campus.