Ancient Scientific Instruments
“Cabinet of Physics”

Located on the third floor of the Major Seminary building, the Physics Cabinet encompasses about 300 square meters and houses hundreds of tools and objects used in teaching until the early 20th century.

In 2011, the Association for the Restoration of Ancient Scientific Instruments in Milan (ARASS-Brera) was commissioned to inventory the collection. This ONLUS association, comprising volunteers with expertise in technology and physics, has worked for over 15 years to restore scientific equipment across public institutions.

The inventory covered 669 objects, identifying and cataloging them, which included a pest disinfection process. Each item has a detailed card, including images and historical data, compiled into an electronic archive. This documentation is available for consultation by appointment.

The next objective is to enhance the identified historical-scientific heritage. To this end, it would be appropriate to plan the restoration of certain particularly significant instruments and subsequently create the conditions to facilitate access to the heritage. The methods could include scheduled access to the laboratory for students and anyone interested, as well as exhibitions, subject to agreements, in suitable external and museum facilities.

Future plans include restoring significant instruments and creating a virtual museum to make this valuable heritage accessible online.

(edited by ARASS-Brera, November 2012)