Science History Institute

Join us on First Friday as we unveil the newest exhibition in our A Closer Read series. Philadelphia was once known as the “workshop of the world” due to the abundance of factories, products, and infrastructure located within the city. From the 1800s through the 1920s, ships, yarn, paints, and more were manufactured on the banks of the Schuylkill and Delaware. This display features works originally published by some of the pioneering companies that made Philadelphia an industrial powerhouse. Guests can enjoy handling collection activities in our museum and a talk by curator Caroline Meehan, followed by a light reception.

This Women’s History Month, you’re invited to a thought-provoking presentation where leading gender and science scholar Sarah S. Richardson charts the untold history of the idea that women’s health and behavior during pregnancy can have long-term effects on their children’s health and welfare. The Maternal Imprint, Richardson’s groundbreaking book, offers a critical analysis of conceptual and ethical issues—in particular, the staggering implications for maternal well-being and reproductive autonomy—provoked by the striking rise of epigenetics and fetal origins science in postgenomic biology today. Richardson examines what we might take for granted about human pregnancy, and invites us to challenge our values

A private learning experience that combines a personally guided exploration of select gallery exhibits and a hands-on study of objects

A private learning experience that combines a personally guided exploration of select gallery exhibits and a hands-on study of objects

A private learning experience that combines a personally guided exploration of select gallery exhibits and a hands-on study of objects