Happy 250th! Our museum will be OPEN 10am–7pm on July 3 and 10am–5pm on July 4.

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

visitor viewing fireworks history exhibition
July 4, 2026
For Families

July 4th at the Science History Institute

Start your 4th of July celebration at the Science History Institute and learn about the science and history behind the beautiful displays you’ll see later in the evening.

An illustration of a firework or explosive device emitting sparks and flames in different directions.
July 11, 2026
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Ben Franklin Bridge 100th Anniversary Celebration

Institute staff will be on hand to celebrate 100 years of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge with fun, fireworks-themed activities.

illustration of a knight on horseback
July 11, 2026
For Families

Stories of Science: Revolutionary Science

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

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