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Museum Hours:Wednesday–Saturday, 10am–5pm

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Events

The Science History Institute produces a wide range of in-person and virtual events that are free and open to the public. From exhibition openings and talks, to museum tours and late-night activities, our programming is aimed at science history lovers, students, industry professionals, scholars, educators, and the scientifically curious.

Featured

Stories of Science: 52 Weeks of Firsts

Saturday, March 21, 2026 | 10am-5pm EDT

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Event Types

Beckman Center
Classes & Workshops
Conferences & Symposia
Drop-In Tours
Fellow in Focus
First Fridays
For Families
Free
Hybrid
Joseph Priestley Society
Library Programs & Activities
Museum Programs & Activities
Online
Performances
Programs, Lectures & Talks
Science and Society
Science on Tap
Stories of Science
Touch Tours

Overhead view of Jacobs Reading Room with researchers

May

01

Fri

5:15pm-6pm

Library Programs & Activities

Othmer Library Tour

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

people studying in a library

May

06

Wed

12pm-12:45pm

Library Programs & Activities

Othmer Library Tour

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

May

09

Sat

10am-5pm

Museum Programs & Activities

Stories of Science

Stories of Science: Fireworks!

Spend your Saturday exploring the sparkling and explosive history of fireworks!

guests and guides gathered near Object Explorer for touch tour

May

12

Tue

10:30am-12pm

Museum Programs & Activities

From Nature to Nylons: A Touch-Based History of Textiles

This touch-based tour offers guests a private learning experience that combines a personally guided exploration of select gallery exhibits and a hands-on study of objects from our collections.

Oral history bound copies, recorder, microphone

May

18

Mon

May

21

Thu

10am-1pm

Classes & Workshops

Oral History Training Institute

This virtual training workshop introduces researchers to oral history and research interview methodologies.

A library information desk with books, pamphlets, and an adjacent Rare Book Room.

May

20

Wed

12pm-12:45pm

Library Programs & Activities

Othmer Library Tour

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

Color illustration of a power plant by the water at night

May

20

Wed

5pm-7pm

Museum Programs & Activities

After Hours in the Museum

Wander at your own pace, dive into hands-on activities, and discover something unexpected around every corner during this special museum experience!

View inside the Jacobs Reading Room

Jun

03

Wed

12pm-12:45pm

Library Programs & Activities

Othmer Library Tour

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

black and white photo of a boy with baseball bat and ball

Jun

05

Fri

5pm-7pm

Museum Programs & Activities

First Friday: Game On! The Science of Sports

Philly is a sports city, so we’re looking at the science behind your favorite games!

Book cart decorated as a woolly mammoth

Jun

05

Fri

5:15pm-6pm

Library Programs & Activities

Othmer Library Tour

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

man touching a museum object with both hands

Jun

09

Tue

10:30am-12pm

Museum Programs & Activities

From Nature to Nylons: A Touch-Based History of Textiles

This touch-based tour offers guests a private learning experience that combines a personally guided exploration of select gallery exhibits and a hands-on study of objects from our collections.

A library interior with tall bookshelves, large columns, and seating area.

Jun

17

Wed

12pm-12:45pm

Library Programs & Activities

Othmer Library Tour

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

Science History Institute Othmer Library

Jul

01

Wed

12pm-12:45pm

Library Programs & Activities

Othmer Library Tour

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

Fellows working in Jacobs Reading Room

Jul

03

Fri

5:15pm-6pm

Library Programs & Activities

Othmer Library Tour

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

A library information desk with books, pamphlets, and an adjacent Rare Book Room.

Jul

15

Wed

12pm-12:45pm

Library Programs & Activities

Othmer Library Tour

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

Research fellow Eva Hemmungs Wirtén.

Jul

29

Wed

12pm-12:45pm

Library Programs & Activities

Othmer Library Tour

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

Chinese world map, drawn by the Jesuits (early 17th century).

Aug

06

Thu

Aug

07

Fri

Conferences & Symposia

The Global History of Modern Science, 1400–1914

The 2026 Cain Conference will address the major issues involved in understanding how modern science has been created through a process of global cultural exchange.

A library interior with tall bookshelves, large columns, and seating area.

Aug

07

Fri

5:15pm-6pm

Library Programs & Activities

Othmer Library Tour

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

Book cart decorated as a woolly mammoth

Aug

12

Wed

12pm-12:45pm

Library Programs & Activities

Othmer Library Tour

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

Oral history bound copies, recorder, microphone

Aug

17

Mon

Aug

20

Thu

10am-1pm

Classes & Workshops

Oral History Training Institute

This virtual training workshop introduces researchers to oral history and research interview methodologies.

Aug

26

Wed

12pm-12:45pm

Library Programs & Activities

Othmer Library Tour

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

man doing research in a library

Sep

04

Fri

5:15pm-6pm

Library Programs & Activities

Othmer Library Tour

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

person doing research in a library

Sep

09

Wed

12pm-12:45pm

Library Programs & Activities

Othmer Library Tour

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

View inside the Jacobs Reading Room

Sep

23

Wed

12pm-12:45pm

Library Programs & Activities

Othmer Library Tour

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

Research fellow Eva Hemmungs Wirtén.

Oct

02

Fri

5:15pm-6pm

Library Programs & Activities

Othmer Library Tour

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

A library interior with tall bookshelves, large columns, and seating area.

Oct

07

Wed

12pm-12:45pm

Library Programs & Activities

Othmer Library Tour

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

Science History Institute Othmer Library

Oct

21

Wed

12pm-12:45pm

Library Programs & Activities

Othmer Library Tour

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

A library information desk with books, pamphlets, and an adjacent Rare Book Room.

Nov

04

Wed

12pm-12:45pm

Library Programs & Activities

Othmer Library Tour

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