Mineralogical Museum, Harvard University
founded circa 1775
The Mineralogical Museum at Harvard University dates back to the late 18th century when minerals were exhibited in Harvard Hall in Harvard Yard. For most of the 19th century the collections were installed in Boylston Hall under the supervision of the Chemistry Department.
The Mineralogical Museum section of the University Museum building on Oxford Street, Cambridge was established in 1891 with funds secured by Professor J. P. Cooke of the Chemistry Department. The adjacent Geological Museum section was completed in 1901.
The Mineralogical Museum merged with the Geological Museum in 1977. It is currently part of the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University.