Museum of the History of Science

The Museum houses an unrivalled collection of historic scientific instruments in the world's oldest surviving purpost-built museum building, the Old Ashmolean of Broad Street. Thanks both to the collection and the building, the Museum occupies a special position in the study of the history of science and in the development of western culture and collecting. The present collection preserves the material relics of past science for study by historians and for the general fascination of visitors of all ages. There are over 10,000 objects here, covering almost all aspects of the history of science from antiquity to the early 20th century. Items with particular popular appeal include collections of astolabes, sundials, quadrants, early mathematical instruments, microscopes, telescopes and cameras.