Othmer Library After Hours

This year, we’re celebrating America’s Semiquincentennial with the theme “A Blast Through the Past: 250 Years of American Science.”

Explore the scientists, ideas, and technologies that have shaped our world from 1776 to today through our unique collections. See rare and modern treasures, support the library by adopting a collection item, enjoy our annual book-themed cake, and take home a souvenir!

The Donald F. and Mildred Topp Othmer Library of Chemical History is an independent research library encompassing the history of chemistry and related sciences and industries.

The Othmer Library was founded in 1988 when Donald and Mildred Topp Othmer announced their challenge grant to be given for the creation of a library that would work to preserve the history of the chemical sciences. The library now houses more than 150,000 print volumes, rare books and manuscripts, archival materials, and historical photographs. Together these collections—spanning nearly six miles of shelves—form an unrivaled resource for the history of chemistry and related sciences, technologies, and industries.

Featured image at top: Detail of Fig. 20: Explosion of a flask filled with a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gases, from Triumphs & Wonders of Modern Chemistry, 1913.

Also check out other Contests in Philadelphia.