About the Museum Collections Database

Use this database to search the Science History Institute’s museum collections, which includes fine art, scientific instruments, objects related to the history of science, and paper ephemera.

You may also find information relevant to your research in the Institute’s library and archives and our digital collections.

Quick Tips for Searching

To search for a specific phrase, be sure to put the phrase within quotes (e.g. "Rocky Pine Ranch"). You can also use the asterisk (*) as a wildcard (e.g. a search for histor* would come up with records containing history, histories, historical, etc.). Searches are not case sensitive.

Viewing Appointments

To make an appointment to view a museum object, please see our collections access page.

Add to Our Collections

If you’d like to donate to the Museum’s collections, please see our Donation page.

Provenance Statement

The Science History Institute regularly performs provenance research (tracing the lineage of an object). The most current findings are made available to the public on our website and will be updated as research progresses. The Institute acknowledges that items in its collections are subject to World War II-era provenance research. We prioritize the research of these paintings and honor Holocaust victims with full transparency of our collections and restitution efforts. If you have questions about our collections concerning provenance, please use the Send Us Feedback button located in the top right of each record.

Statement on Reparative Language and Collecting

The Science History Institute recognizes there are materials in our collections that may be offensive or harmful, containing racist, sexist, Eurocentric, ableist, or homophobic language or depictions. The history of science is not exempt from beliefs or practices harmful to traditionally marginalized groups. The Institute is engaged in ongoing efforts to responsibly present and address the evidence of oppression and injustice inextricable from the history of science. If you would like to learn more about our ongoing efforts or if you encounter harmful, inaccurate, or insufficient descriptions, please use the Send Us Feedback button located in the top right of each record.