Whipple Museum of the History of Science

The Whipple Museum of the History of Science is a museum attached to the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, which houses an extensive collection of scientific instruments, apparatus, models, pictures, prints, photographs, books and other material related to the history of science. It is located in the former Perse School on Free School Lane, and was founded in 1944, when Robert Whipple presented his collection of scientific instruments to the University of Cambridge. The museum's collection is 'designated' by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) as being of "national and international importance".[2]

Whipple Museum of the History of Science
Whipple Museum of the History of Science, Free School Lane
Whipple Museum of the History of Science, in Free School Lane, Cambridge
Established1944
LocationCambridge
Coordinates(52°12′00″N 0°07′12″E)
TypeUniversity Museum
AccreditationArts Council England accredited
CollectionsScientific instruments, apparatus, models, pictures, prints, photographs, books and other material related to the history of science
Visitors11,845 (2019)[1]
FounderRobert Whipple
DirectorProfessor Liba Taub
OwnerUniversity of Cambridge
University of Cambridge Museums
An 18th-century Persian astrolabe.
Whipple Museum Collection.
A 17th-century compound microscope.
Whipple Museum Collection.
Partial assembly of Charles Babbage’s Difference Engine from original brass parts.
Whipple Museum Collection.

The museum is one of eight museums in the University of Cambridge Museums consortium.[3]

Department of History and Philosophy of Science

The museum forms part of the Department of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Cambridge. The department includes a working library with a large collection of early scientific books, some of which were given by Robert Whipple. The museum plays an important part in the department's teaching and research.

Collections

The museum's holdings are particularly strong in material dating from the 17th to the 19th centuries, especially objects produced by English instrument makers, although the collection contains objects dating from the medieval period to the present day. Instruments of astronomy, navigation, surveying, drawing and calculating are well represented, as are sundials, mathematical instruments and early electrical apparatus.

Since Robert Whipple's initial gift of the collection, the museum has come to house many instruments formerly used in the Colleges and Departments of the University of Cambridge.

Opening hours

The Whipple Museum is open from Monday to Friday, 12.30 - 4.30pm.[4]

See also

References
  1. "ALVA - Association of Leading Visitor Attractions". www.alva.org.uk. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  2. Designation
  3. "Our Museums | University of Cambridge". www.cam.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 19 August 2013.
  4. "Whipple Museum of the History of Science". Whipple Museum Website. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
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