Welcome to the Archives of the Museum of Science, Boston
This catalog contains finding aids with descriptive information about the Museum’s archival materials. Researchers can search and browse this catalog to locate relevant records and information.
The Archives recently obtained ArchivesSpace in the fall of 2021. The Archives staff will be regularly updating ArchivesSpace with new collections and information. Some search features may not be readily available as we start to import data and finding aids.
About the Archives
In 2017, Bloomberg Philanthropies generously provided funding for the first archives department in the Museum’s nearly 200-year history. The Archives staff are actively working toward improved intellectual and physical access to these collections as resources are made available. Learn more about the Archives and Museum’s history through Museum of Science Collective Memory and Building Our Museum.
The Archives includes 3,300 linear feet of records and an estimated 25 terabytes of digital materials, both featuring institutional documents, manuscripts, photographic materials, publications, motion picture films, and artworks. The archival collections are mostly unprocessed or low-level processed. The Archives traces the Museum’s history and development from the Boston Society of Natural History (1830 – 1948) to the multifaceted educational institution that the Museum of Science, Boston is today. In addition, related institutions such as the Linnaean Society, the Computer Museum, the Computer Clubhouse Network, the Trailside Museum, and other New England cultural heritage organizations are reflected within our holdings.
The Archives supports inquiries through remote research services. For any reference, research, reproduction, and licensing requests, please complete the inquiry form. Due to high demand, there may be a delay with processing requests, and some requests may be unable to be fulfilled at this time.
If you need assistance or have further questions, please contact the Archives at archives@mos.org.