Faraday Museum | Royal Institution

Faraday Museum | Royal Institution Faraday Museum Explore over 200 years of history-making science in the Faraday Museum at the Ri. Entry is free. Credit: The Royal Institution Explore the Faraday Museum Lower ground floor From the first electrical transformer to the tube that told us why the sky is blue, view the actual objects scientists of the Royal Institution built in some of the world's most famous experiments. Discover the key role that the Ri has played in the development of the modern world – from the thermos flask to the device that saved the lives of countless miners. Visit Faraday's magnetic laboratory displayed as it was in the 1850s, opposite a current state-of-the-art nanotechnology lab. Plus, try your hand at our chemical elements game: Test your reaction times and spot the 10 elements discovered at the Ri as they appear in our fast-and-furious elements song. Ground floor Meet the many characters in the story of the Ri. There's our Museum's namesake, Michael Faraday , the bookbinder's apprentice who got a job here through a lucky break and went on to become a scientific hero. But there's also his boss, the arrogant yet charismatic Humphry Davy , and Ada Lovelace, mathematician and daughter of Lord Byron. You can also find out about the 14 Nobel Prize winners who have worked at the Ri. This floor includes a stunning display of some of the people that have made the Ri what it is. First floor From the beginning of our history, the Ri has been famous as a place to discover and discuss the world around us. Many of the greatest scientists from the last 200 years have appeared in our famous theatre. We celebrate just a handful of them here on the first floor – in paintings, unusual props and film clips. Find out what a boomerang, a stuffed kangaroo and a saw have in common, and discover the unfortunate side effects of too much laughing gas. Can’t find what you’re looking for? If you have a research query regarding aspects of the collection which are not on permanent display please contact the archives team The collections The collections of the Royal Institution include the apparatus and experimental equipment of many of the scientists, who have researched, lectured and lived in the building, alongside an impressive array of art and sculpture. Our image collections The Royal Institution holds an impressive collection of paintings, photographs and sculptures. Most of the major work is on display in the public areas of the building, including a set of four portraits by Henry William Pickersgill in the Grand Staircase, and paintings of lectures which hang in the Anteroom. We also have a large collection of light-sensitive material which can only be displayed for short periods of time. Some of these items will be shown in temporary displays in the archive case on the lower ground floor. The bulk of our stored collection is photographic, including images of past Christmas lectures and photos taken by Katharine M. Reynolds , which show the Ri as it was in the 1890s. We also hold watercolours by Harriet Moore and William Lawrence Bragg which give a personal view of what life was like at the Ri in both the 1850s and 1950s. Image collections online You can view all our oil paintings online on the Artuk website. Many of the best-known images from the image collections can also be viewed at Bridgeman Art Library and the Science Photo Library Our object collections The object collections of the Royal Institution include the experimental equipment of scientists who have researched, lectured and lived in the building. Incredible discoveries have occurred in the basement of 21 Albemarle Street, and a significant proportion of the objects used can still be viewed, including: Humphry Davy ’s discovery of nine chemical elements and his invention of the Davy lamp to enable safe mining Thomas Young’s establishment of the wave theory of light Michael Faraday ’s development of the electric motor, the electric generator, the field theory of electro-magnetism and liquefaction of gas for cooling purposes John Tyndall ’s discovery of the greenhouse effect (radiant heat experiments) Lord Rayleigh ’s discovery of argon James Dewar ’s liquefaction of hydrogen and his invention of the Dewar Flask (now more commonly known as the thermos flask) William Henry and William Lawrence Bragg ’s invention of the X-ray analysis of crystals and biological molecules (X-ray Crystallography) George Porter ’s discovery of laser analysis of very fast chemical reactions Museum Accreditation The Michael Faraday Museum at the Royal Institution was assessed by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) in July 2009 and was officially accredited on 20 September 2009. MLA's Accreditation Scheme sets nationally agreed standards for UK museums. To meet the requirements of the scheme, museums must demonstrate that they achieve clearly defined standards relating to governance and management, services for users, visitors facilities and collections management. As an accredited museum the Michael Faraday Museum is committed to continuous improvement; we are currently working to improve access to and interpretation of our collections both front of house and behind the scenes. What's on Autumn discourses from the Ri FAQs for Ri livestreams Learning Urenco Young Scientist Centre National Young Scientist Centre workshops Science shows, events and activities for children School trips to the Ri Our talks and events Science shows at your school Curriculum links for Science in Schools Grants for schools Activities and resources Become a Masterclass Speaker Become a Masterclass Speaker Family Fun Days Ri Masterclasses Science resources for UK teachers Explore science Blog Videos Podcasts From our collection Iconic objects from the Ri collection Discover200 Memories Explore climate science Humphry Davy Michael Faraday at the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures 2024 CHRISTMAS LECTURES learning 2024 CHRISTMAS LECTURES livestreaming 2025 CHRISTMAS LECTURES learning 2025 CHRISTMAS LECTURES livestreaming Become a 2023 Christmas Lectures livestream venue CGI are the Title Partner to the CHRISTMAS LECTURES CHRISTMAS LECTURES 2023 FAQs History of the CHRISTMAS LECTURES Join us for the CHRISTMAS LECTURES live filming Missing Lectures Our 2024 CHRISTMAS LECTURES supporters Support the 2025 Lectures Taking the CHRISTMAS LECTURES abroad The 2024 CHRISTMAS LECTURES UNESCO Patronage Watch the 2023 CHRISTMAS LECTURES Watch the 2024 CHRISTMAS LECTURES Watch the Royal Institution Christmas lectures archive Would you like to help support the 2023 CHRISTMAS LECTURES? Visit Faraday Museum Visit our archive Book bespoke heritage tours Book a 45 minute welcome tour Support us Member offers Become an Ri Patron Donate to the Ri Corporate support Make a gift in your will Trusts and foundations Name a seat in our Theatre Our supporters Be the Spark Be the Spark Challenge Fund Inspiring Generations Masterclasses Preserve and Protect Science Global Science in Schools Young Scientist Centre Zero ready Become a Member Our strategy and vision What we do How we're run Our code of conduct for events News Venue hire Licensing Shop Our history Directors and Presidents of the Royal Institution Ri Professors Ten journals of John Tyndall newly identified at the Royal Institution Equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility at the Ri Ri Positional statement – Gender and Identity Ri Discourses Ri Freer Fellowship Criteria for assessment Ri Freer Fellowship Terms and Conditions Royal Institution Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2026 Safeguarding policies Safeguarding procedures Find out more Visit our archive Explore the notebooks, papers and film materials of the scientists who lived and worked in the Ri building. Visit our archive Book a heritage tour Explore the history and architecture of the building with an archival expert. Book a heritage tour Visit Everything you need to plan your visit to the Ri and the Faraday Museum. Visit