“This collection offers an advantage to miSci that few other museums enjoy- it is a fully developed 20th-century history collection with internal integrity and highly developed provenance.”
“The archival collection which the Museum of Innovation and Science in Schenectady inherited on the research laboratory from GE is an international treasure for those fortunate enough to be able to make extended trips to Schenectady to work in the well-maintained and curated collection.”
For 90 years miSci has maintained historic collections. In 1997 miSci merged with the General Electric Hall of Electrical History to form a repository documenting the evolution of electricity, electronics, and technological advancements.
Today miSci’s Archives are an internationally significant collection of millions of advertising documents, business records, 2,000 books, 1,300 films, papers, 10,000 patents, and two million photographs related to the history science and technology. The Archives rank among the most important sources in the world for the history of the electrical industry. The Collection is an invaluable resource for the study of the electrification, industrialization, and urbanization of American society and attracts researchers from around the world.
Each year, the Archives hosts 400 researchers and receives more than 2,400 research queries from 30 countries. This includes elementary school students, teachers, college students, professors, Ph.D. students, railroad model makers, and national media companies. More than 25 books have been written about the Museum’s holdings and images from the Archives and Collection have been featured in numerous publications and television programs.
Archives Services
miSci’s staff can search for needed information using the Museum’s resources for a fee. Fee and scheduling details can be found at this link. Please contact us to arrange for research.
