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Making Modernity, CHF's permanent exhibition, will show you how chemistry has touched our lives—frequently in unexpected ways. Visitors can trace scientific progress in the laboratory, the factory, and their homes and learn how chemistry created and continues to shape the modern world.

Drawn from CHF's world-class collections, Making Modernity includes scientific instruments and apparatus, rare books, fine art, and the personal papers of prominent scientists. Topics range from alchemy, synthetics, and the chemical-instrument revolution to chemistry education, electrochemistry, chemistry sets, and the science of color. 

No matter how much or how little you know about chemistry, Making Modernity will give you a new perspective on the everyday objects around you.

Learn more

• How did we do this? Meet the curators of Making Modernity.
• View some chemistry kaleidoscopes to discover how chemistry helps create beautiful and useful things.
• Read about the major donors who made Making Modernity and the museum possible.
• Sign up for our mailing list. Stay informed of exhibits and related events.

This exhibition is made possible by the generous support of the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation.