The Science History Institute is closed for Independence Day on Friday, July 4, and there will be no First Friday event.

It’s your last chance to tour BOLD before it closes!

Join our museum’s Gallery Guides for a “drop-in” tour highlighting the remarkable scientific properties of natural dyes and textiles, the technology behind synthetic clothing, and the impact of fashion on human health and the environment.

Have you ever thought about the science behind the contents of your closet? The technology that produces our modern clothing is the result of an unlikely collaboration between prehistoric humans, an 18-year-old chemist in Victorian London, and a Harvard professor employed by DuPont on the eve of World War II.

Our Dyes & Textiles Tour bridges content from our BOLD exhibition and our permanent exhibition, offering a broad picture of the scientific developments that shifted clothing production from the home to the factory to the laboratory.


Drop-in tours are free and no reservations are necessary.

More events

blue armchairs, shelves, columns in library
July 2, 2025
Free

Othmer Library Tour

Curious about the other half of the Science History Institute? Step into the Othmer Library of Chemical History!

Red White & Blue To-Do logo over photo of Independence Hall with balloons and a marching band member
July 2, 2025
For Families

Red, White, & Blue To-Do

Join us for an exciting day of revolutionary science and the history of fireworks!

Color illustration of fireworks on the Seine, Paris
July 4, 2025
First Fridays

There Will Be No First Friday Event in July

Have a safe and happy 4th of July weekend!

    Republish

    Copy the above HTML to republish this content. We have formatted the material to follow our guidelines, which include our credit requirements. Please review our full list of guidelines for more information. By republishing this content, you agree to our republication requirements.