24 Hour Museum - official guide to UK museums, galleries, exhibitions and heritage
Gateway to Over 3,000 UK museums, galleries and heritage attractions
Skip to navigation
Museum Details
Museum of the History of Science
Broad Street
Oxford
OX1 3AZ
Oxfordshire
England
Collection details
Archives
Decorative and Applied Art
Maritime
Medicine
Natural Sciences
Science and Technology
World Cultures
Facilities
Shop: yes
Library: yes
Study area: yes
Wheelchair access: yes
Visual disability facilities: yes
Our library is open to the public by appointment only.
Contact details
General information (Tel)
:
01865 277280
General information (Fax)
:
01865 277288
E-mail
:
museum@mhs.ox.ac.uk
Website
:
www.mhs.ox.ac.uk
Open
Tues-Fri 12.00-17.00
Sat 10.00 - 17.00
Sun 14.00-17.00
Closed
Christmas and new year
Admission charges
Free
Description
The Museum of the History of Science is located at the historic centre of the University of Oxford. Founded in the 1920s, it occupies the Old Ashmolean Building, opened in 1683 as the first purpose-built public museum. Following a recent programme of extension and redevelopment, the museum boasts a new gallery which houses a diverse range of special exhibitions. The museum has Designated status.
Collections description
The museum holds an internationally renowned collection of historic scientific instruments from antiquity to the twentieth century. Particular strengths include the early mathematical instruments (especially astrolabes and sundials), optical instruments (including microscopes, telescopes and cameras), and apparatus associated with chemistry, natural philosophy and medicine. There is also a unique reference library for the study of the history of scientific instruments that includes manuscripts, incunabula, prints, printed ephemera and early photographic material.
Key artists and exhibits
Einstein blackboard
;
H. G. J. Moseley
;
penicillin
;
Howard Florey
;
Royal Astronomical Society
;
Royal Microscopical Society
;
Earl of Orrery
;
spherical astrolabe
;
Erasmus Habermel
;
Lewis Evans
Articles
MGM 2008 - A Top Ten Of Museums At Night Events This Weekend
MGM 2008 - Frankenstein Page On Show For One Night Only In Oxford
Small Worlds Combines Art And Science At The Museum Of The History Of Science
Moonscope Brings Old And New Lunar Impressions To Oxford
MGM 2007 - Our Top Ten Museum Music & Entertainment Events
Repatriating The Ark At The Museum Of Garden History
Wireless World - Marconi At History of Science Museum Oxford
Trails
Leonardo In Oxford: A Da Vinci Trail Around The University Museums
Hidden Treasure Trail For Oxford
Events
The English Telescope fron Newton to Herschel
Exhibition (temporary)
Home Page
News Page
Exhibition Page
What's On
Trails Page
Website of the Week
Letters Page
Welsh Home
Graphical Version
Copyright © 24 Hour Museum
Information published here was believed to be correct at the time it was prepared. Welsh language pages developed with CYMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales, funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.