Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments

The Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments is a Harvard University museum in Cambridge devoted to the instruments Harvard has used for teaching and research. Harvard has been acquiring such instruments since 1672, and the Collection itself was established in 1948. It is one of the three largest university collections of its kind in the world, with holdings that include telescopes, timepieces, computers, optical equipment and much more.

The Collection is one of the four Harvard Museums of Science and Culture and is housed in the Harvard Science Center, about a six-minute walk across the historic campus from Harvard Square. Its exhibition Measuring Difference offers a new interpretation of historical items from the Collection and from numerous other cultural organizations, showing visitors how tools, ideas and policies have influenced what, and who, gets measured.

What to Know

• Admission is free, and the museum is open to the public six days a week.
• The museum is listed as tour friendly.
• It is a Meet Boston partner and is listed by the Harvard Square Business Association.