Mission Statement

 

 

The Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments at Harvard connects scholars and community members to nearly 25,000 historical scientific instruments to enhance an understanding of the human history of scientific education, practice, and discovery.

 

CHSI advances the educational and research needs of the Harvard community and beyond, engaging visitors through guided access to collections, experimental exhibitions, and innovative programming.

 

History 

 

Harvard University has been acquiring scientific instruments since 1672. CHSI was established in 1948 by David P. Wheatland to preserve these objects as resources for teaching and research in the history of science and technology. 

 

CHSI is one of the three largest university collections of its kind in the world. Stewarded by Harvard’s Department of the History of Science since 1987, the collection is an integral resource for student and faculty engagement in the Greater Boston Area. As a founding member institution of the Harvard Museums of Science and Culture, CHSI is an essential partner in achieving HMSC’s mission to foster curiosity and a spirit of discovery and enhance understanding of and appreciation for science.

 

Vision

 

From within the hub of Harvard’s Science Center, the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments challenges you to join us in exploring what we know and how we came to understand it.