Cozy up at the Science History Institute this First Friday for a night of cozy chemistry.

Join our museum educators as they teach us about staying warm, whether we’re keeping our beverages hot or feeling toasty in wool clothing. Learn about the technology and innovations created to keep us from getting frost bite, from synthetic materials to hand warmers.

Our librarians will feature some of our hottest historical books and host a fun, family-friendly craft station. After that, relax and indulge in some hot chocolate and cookies in our Overlook Lounge. 

About First Fridays

Spark your curiosity while exploring the exhibits after hours! First Fridays bring together a myriad of activities covering everyday science, historical oddities, and everything in between. Grab your friends, and kick off an evening of discovery, surprise, and a little nerdy fun.

First Fridays at the Institute are always free and open to the public. Attendees will receive a 10% discount to National Mechanics restaurant.


PLEASE NOTE: Our museum will be temporarily closed December 22, 2024, through March 7, 2025, for renovations.

Featured image: Detail of Make It an Occasion! With Plastics Housewares Made of Styron, Dow Chemical Company ad, 1949.

More events

Book illustration in color of early lab apparatus
October 16, 2025
Conferences & Symposia

Fall 2025 Meeting of the Society for the History of Alchemy and Chemistry

Invited speakers will present on topics ranging from medieval medicine to modern climate science.

Vintage ad for margarine featuring a knife spreading margarine on one piece of bread out of the loaf. The ad copy talks about the benefits of margarine.
October 18, 2025
Drop-In Tours

School Lunch Tour

This interactive drop-in tour reveals how food scientists, the government, and the public have shaped in-school nutrition.

color illustration of medicinal plants
October 18, 2025
For Families

Stories of Science: Spooky 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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