Please note our museum hours while we undergo renovations.
Museum HoursWed–Fri: 12:30pm–5pm | Sat: 10am–5pm

Curious Histories Fest is back! Our free annual celebration of science, history, exploration, and experimentation will feature free hands-on activities and family-friendly fun, as well as exciting talks, tours, and highlights from our special collections. Visit our museum; talk to curators and experts; take part in performances, story times, and special events; and immerse yourself in curiosity! Plus, the first 150 visitors will receive a free serving of Siddiq’s Water Ice (limit one per person).

Color Your World

Curious Histories Fest highlights a new theme each year. Inspired by our current BOLD: Color from Test Tube to Textile exhibition, this year’s “Color Your World” theme explores the color in your life.

Have you ever wondered about the color of your clothes? Or your food? Does color have a taste? How do we perceive color? Where do natural and synthetic dyes come from, and how do they work? Do you love tie-dye? And rainbows?

Join us for family activities, hands-on crafts, engaging talks, and live dyeing demos! Then visit our museum and see special collections showcasing strange and wondrous color and dye histories. Enjoy food trucks, special guests, live music, and so much more.

Activity Highlights

Food and Drink

Music

Curious Histories Fest is open to all ages. Admission and programs are free; food trucks are pay-as-you-go. No reservations are necessary.


Bolte Family Foundation logo

Major funding for Curious Histories Fest is provided by chief presenting sponsor the Bolte Family Foundation.

Additional support provided by sustaining sponsors American Chemical Society, Dow, and Arkema Inc.; and contributing sponsor Dr. Zhen Yang, YM American Academy.

Featured image: Sevron Cationic Dyes on Dacron Type 801 Polyester Fiber, cover of a dye sample book produced by E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, 1972.

More events

line drawing of leaf veins in a book
May 24, 2025
For Families

Stories of Science: May Flowers

Join us in our museum EVERY SATURDAY for a family-friendly program that highlights strange and surprising stories from the history of science!

watercolor painting of ramie planting
May 31, 2025
For Families

Stories of Science: May Flowers

Join us in our museum EVERY SATURDAY for a family-friendly program that highlights strange and surprising stories from the history of science!

magazine ad featuring samples and hands weaving synthetic fabric
June 6, 2025
First Fridays

First Friday: Superheroes of Science

In June we’re celebrating the superheroes of science with an exciting event that blends fashion, function, and the spirit of Pride!

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