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

Since its founding in 1988, the Othmer Library at the Science History Institute has been a haven for research in the history of science—but there’s more to the story. Explore the reading room on a guided tour, learn how our collection has grown, and discover why we have one of the most comprehensive rare book collections on chemistry and its alchemical roots.


Othmer Library Tours are available every other Wednesday at 12pm. Starting in August, they will also be available on the first Friday of most months at 4pm.

Registration is required for Wednesday tours; First Friday tours will be drop-in. Guests under 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

More events

illustration of a drinking man interacting with apparitions
October 25, 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!

ACS The Hidden Life of Spices artwork
October 25, 2025
For Families

National Chemistry Week: The Hidden Life of Spices

Discover how spices get their flavors from their chemical makeup at the American Chemical Society’s family-friendly festival.

illustrated cross section of a human abdomen
October 30, 2025
Joseph Priestley Society

Beyond Frankenstein: Transplant Science and Lifesaving Pig Organs

This virtual panel will discuss how transplant decision making walks the fine line between what is morally valid for the extension of life and the range of technologies that could test our definition of what it means to be human.

    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.