History of Chemistry - Chemical Heritage Foundation

The Chemical Heritage Foundation (CHF) fosters an understanding of chemistry’s impact on society. An independent nonprofit organization, we strive to inspire a passion for chemistry, highlight chemistry’s role in meeting current social challenges, and preserve the story of chemistry across centuries.

CHF maintains major collections of instruments, fine art, photographs, papers, and books. We host conferences and lectures, support research, offer fellowships, and produce educational materials. Our museum and public programs explore subjects ranging from alchemy to nanotechnology.

Discover our museum!
	Get a glimpse of our exhibits and collections.
	Plan your visit: check hours, get directions, schedule a group tour.

Quick links

	Visitor information

	Library catalog

	Classroom resources

Upcoming events

	Science on Tap: "Embracing Darwin," 9 November

	Brown Bag Lecture: "Social Organization of Work in Academic Labs in the Biomedical Sciences in Canada," 10 November

	T.T. Chao Symposium on Innvoation: "Houston on the Molecular Frontier," 12 November

	Ullyot Public Affairs Lecture: Joseph DeSimone, 19 November

	See our full events calendar.

AIA Citation of Merit

	Our Museum and Conference Center has been honored for architectural excellence.

	Chemical Heritage CHF's newsmagazine Current Issue • R&D and energy policy • Aspirin • Balloon flight • The integrated circuit		Distillations CHF's award-winning podcast Light and Day: apropos the change of clocks, we investigate Seasonal Affective Disorder and the chemistry of LEDs. Listen to the podcast.

	Policy Center Center for Contemporary History and Policy Offering historically grounded perspectives on issues related to the molecular sciences and technologies.		Fellowship Opportunities Graduate and postdoctoral research at CHF Access our collections; share your work; become part of our unique community of scholars. Apply by 15 February.

	Multimedia Video • The Museum at CHF Blogs • Periodic Tabloid • Ship of Fellows • The Center		Give to CHF Save chemistry's heritage The mission of the Chemical Heritage Foundation is unique: we tell the story of chemistry to the world. Donate today.

Let's meet!