Museum of the History of Science

The Museum of the History of Science, located in Broad Street, Oxford is home to a leading collection of scientific instruments from medieval times to the 17th century. Its collection of 18th and 19th-century instruments is also substantial.

The current collection contains around 18,000 objects from antiquity to the early 20th century, representing almost all aspects of the history of science and is used for both academic study and enjoyment by the visiting public.

The museum contains a wide range of scientific instruments, such as quadrants, astrolabes (the most complete collection in the world with c.170 instruments), sundials, early mathematical instruments (used for calculating, astronomy, navigation, surveying and drawing), optical instruments (microscopes, telescopes and cameras), equipment associated with chemistry, natural philosophy and medicine, and a reference library regarding the history of scientific instruments that includes manuscripts, incunabula, prints and printed ephemera, and early photographic items.

The building itself is the world's oldest surviving purpose-built museum.