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Upcoming Events at Science History Institute

42 upcoming events

October 2026

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Tuesday, October 13

All upcoming events

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

Event

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

Tue · Oct 13 · 10:30 am

Free

Private learning experience featuring guided gallery exploration, hands-on study of textiles, plus interactive discussions.

Art of Alchemy Self-Guided Visit

Event

Art of Alchemy Self-Guided Visit

Thu · Oct 15 · 1:00 pm

Free

Art of Alchemy Self-Guided Visit exploring works in the new permanent exhibition, Fire and Gold: The Art of Alchemy (1450–1850).

Forensics Highlights Tour

Event

Forensics Highlights Tour

Sat · Oct 17 · 11:30 am

Free

Interactive forensics tour featuring crime scene investigations, deduction science, plus expert museum educators.

Fireworks Tour

Event

Fireworks Tour

Sat · Oct 17 · 2:00 pm

Free

Drop-in tour featuring a special exhibition on the history of pyrotechnics, plus guided insights.

Artefacts XXXI: Trust and Objects

Event

Artefacts XXXI: Trust and Objects

Mon · Oct 19 · 12:00 am

Free

Annual conference featuring discussions on material culture, history of science, plus networking opportunities.

Othmer Library Tour

Event

Othmer Library Tour

Wed · Oct 21 · 12:00 pm

Free

Othmer Library offering guided tours of chemical history artifacts, plus access to research materials.

Unwell Waters Highlights Tour

Event

Unwell Waters Highlights Tour

Sat · Oct 24 · 11:30 am

Free

Guided tour featuring Pennsylvania's history of waterborne epidemics, plus expert museum educators.

Art of Alchemy Self-Guided Visit

Event

Art of Alchemy Self-Guided Visit

Sat · Oct 24 · 2:00 pm

Free

Art of Alchemy Self-Guided Visit exploring works in the new permanent exhibition, Fire and Gold: The Art of Alchemy (1450–1850).

Art of Alchemy Self-Guided Visit

Event

Art of Alchemy Self-Guided Visit

Thu · Oct 29 · 1:00 pm

Free

Self-guided visit to explore works in the new permanent exhibition, Fire and Gold: The Art of Alchemy (1450–1850).

Study Hall x Distillations: American Vice

Event

Study Hall x Distillations: American Vice

Thu · Oct 29 · 6:00 pm

Free

Special edition of Study Hall featuring short talks and improv comedy inspired by the Distillations podcast.

Stories of Science: Craft-tober

Event

Stories of Science: Craft-tober

Sat · Oct 31 · 10:00 am

Free

Family-friendly program highlighting strange stories from the history of science every Saturday.

Stuff from Your House Highlights Tour

Event

Stuff from Your House Highlights Tour

Sat · Oct 31 · 11:30 am

Free

Guided tour exploring scientific principles and history of household objects, plus museum educators on site.

Fireworks Tour

Event

Fireworks Tour

Sat · Oct 31 · 2:00 pm

Free

Drop-in tour featuring special exhibition on the history of pyrotechnics, plus guided discussions.

Othmer Library Tour

Event

Othmer Library Tour

Wed · Nov 4 · 12:00 pm

Free

Library tour featuring exhibits on chemical history, research materials, and educational programs, plus knowledgeable staff.

First Friday: More Than Meets the Eye

Event

First Friday: More Than Meets the Eye

Fri · Nov 6 · 5:00 pm

Free

Unveiling of the latest ExhibitLab display on corneal transplantation.

Othmer Library Tour

Event

Othmer Library Tour

Fri · Nov 6 · 5:15 pm

Free

Guided library tour featuring exhibits on chemical history, research materials, plus knowledgeable staff.

From Nature to Nylons Highlights Tour

Event

From Nature to Nylons Highlights Tour

Sat · Nov 7 · 11:30 am

Free

Guided tour featuring the history of clothing materials, interactive displays, plus museum educators on-site.

Art of Alchemy Self-Guided Visit

Event

Art of Alchemy Self-Guided Visit

Sat · Nov 7 · 2:00 pm

Free

Self-guided visit exploring works in the new permanent exhibition on alchemy.

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

Event

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

Tue · Nov 10 · 10:30 am

Free

Private learning experience combining guided exploration of gallery exhibits and hands-on study of objects.

Art of Alchemy Self-Guided Visit

Event

Art of Alchemy Self-Guided Visit

Thu · Nov 12 · 1:00 pm

Free

Self-guided visit to explore works in the new permanent exhibition, Fire and Gold: The Art of Alchemy (1450–1850).

Ullyot Lecture and Award: Ben Feringa

Event

Ullyot Lecture and Award: Ben Feringa

Fri · Nov 13 · 6:00 pm

Free

Lecture by 2016 Nobel co-laureate in chemistry, followed by Q&A session.

Stuff from Your House Highlights Tour

Event

Stuff from Your House Highlights Tour

Sat · Nov 14 · 11:30 am

Free

Exploration of scientific principles and history behind everyday household objects.

Science & Activism Tour

Event

Science & Activism Tour

Sat · Nov 14 · 2:00 pm

Free

Guided tour featuring historical insights on Rachel Carson, ACT UP, and impactful scientific activism, plus interactive discussions.

Othmer Library Tour

Event

Othmer Library Tour

Wed · Nov 18 · 12:00 pm

Free

Library tour featuring exhibits on chemical history, educational resources, plus guided exploration.

The Electrical Grid in Flux

Event

The Electrical Grid in Flux

Thu · Nov 19 · 1:00 pm

Free

Dave Walter will explore the past and present of integrating renewable energy into our electricity delivery system

Stories of Science: Feasting on Chemistry

Event

Stories of Science: Feasting on Chemistry

Sat · Nov 21 · 10:00 am

Free

Family-friendly program at the museum featuring stories from science history, plus interactive elements.

Forensics Highlights Tour

Event

Forensics Highlights Tour

Sat · Nov 21 · 11:30 am

Free

Educational tour featuring forensic science demonstrations, interactive exhibits and expert discussions, plus hands-on activities.

Art of Alchemy Self-Guided Visit

Event

Art of Alchemy Self-Guided Visit

Sat · Nov 21 · 2:00 pm

Free

Self-guided visit exploring works in the new permanent exhibition on alchemy.

Othmer Library Tour

Event

Othmer Library Tour

Wed · Dec 2 · 12:00 pm

Free

Library tour offering insights into chemical history, plus a chance to explore unique collections.

Othmer Library Tour

Event

Othmer Library Tour

Fri · Dec 4 · 4:15 pm

Free

Library tour offering insights into chemical history, with interactive exhibits and resources for all ages.

First Friday: Start Talking Science

Event

First Friday: Start Talking Science

Fri · Dec 4 · 5:00 pm

Free

Community event featuring scientists discussing research in physics, medicine, and biochemistry, plus hands-on activities.

From Nature to Nylons Highlights Tour

Event

From Nature to Nylons Highlights Tour

Sat · Dec 5 · 11:30 am

Free

Guided tour featuring the history of clothing materials, plus insights from museum educators.

Art of Alchemy Self-Guided Visit

Event

Art of Alchemy Self-Guided Visit

Sat · Dec 5 · 2:00 pm

Free

Self-guided visit to explore works in the new permanent exhibition, Fire and Gold: The Art of Alchemy (1450–1850).

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

Event

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

Tue · Dec 8 · 10:30 am

Free

Touch-based history of textiles with guided exploration and hands-on study of objects.

Art of Alchemy Self-Guided Visit

Event

Art of Alchemy Self-Guided Visit

Thu · Dec 10 · 1:00 pm

Free

Self-guided visit exploring works in the new permanent exhibition on alchemy.

Stuff from Your House Highlights Tour

Event

Stuff from Your House Highlights Tour

Sat · Dec 12 · 11:30 am

Free

Highlights tour exploring the scientific principles and history behind everyday household objects.

Women in Chemistry Tour

Event

Women in Chemistry Tour

Sat · Dec 12 · 2:00 pm

Free

Free tour highlighting women's contributions to chemistry and material sciences, plus a chance to engage with exhibits.

Othmer Library Tour

Event

Othmer Library Tour

Wed · Dec 16 · 12:00 pm

Free

Library tour featuring historical chemical texts, research resources, plus educational exhibits.

Forensics Highlights Tour

Event

Forensics Highlights Tour

Sat · Dec 19 · 11:30 am

Free

Educational forensics tour offering insights into crime scene science and deduction techniques, plus expert guides.

Stories of Science: Cuppa Chemistry

Event

Stories of Science: Cuppa Chemistry

Sat · Dec 26 · 10:00 am

Free

Family-friendly program featuring stories from the history of science, plus interactive activities for all ages.

Unwell Waters Highlights Tour

Event

Unwell Waters Highlights Tour

Sat · Dec 26 · 11:30 am

Free

Guided tour featuring the history of medicine exhibit, focusing on waterborne epidemics, plus expert museum educators.

Fireworks Tour

Event

Fireworks Tour

Sat · Dec 26 · 2:00 pm

Free

Drop-in tour of the special exhibition on the fascinating history and science of pyrotechnics.