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Museum Hours:Wednesday–Saturday, 10AM–5PM

Hours & Admission

The Science History Institute Museum is free and open to the public Wednesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm.

During your visit, you can view our permanent exhibition, which traces the history of science—from medieval alchemy to modern plastics, and everything in between—or play with our interactive touch table to learn about the fascinating science behind everyday objects. You can also view our temporary exhibitions including BOLD and our ExhibitLab display; explore special topics and themes with our staff; enjoy a guided family activity; or try a self-guided scavenger hunt, puzzle, or activity sheet. On average, visitors spend about an hour in our museum.

Address

315 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Email: museum@sciencehistory.org
Directions >>

Museum Hours

Wednesday–Saturday, 10am–5pm

Holidays

Our museum team works hard to bring you engaging exhibitions and programs. And sometimes we need a break to recharge! On days that we are closed, we invite you to enjoy a digital exhibition, take a peek at our outdoor exhibition on the façade of our building, or enjoy one of our articles, podcasts, videos, or blog posts.

The Science History Institute Museum is closed on the following holidays:

  • New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • Presidents’ Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Juneteenth
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving weekend (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday)
  • Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

On view

vials of powder paint pigments

BOLD: Color from Test Tube to Textile

Take a colorful journey through more than 150 years of synthetic dye-making.
plastic bag with a colorful background

Is the Plastic Bag History?

Our latest outdoor exhibition explores the history of a familiar object from a surprising number of angles.
comic book illustration

Superheroes, Science, and the Environment

This ExhibitLab display highlights the unexpected connections between the pages of comic books and real-life environmental issues.

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