‌Harvard's Teaching Cabinet

‌The exhibition takes its name from Harvard’s ‘Philosophy Chamber’ - a grand room at Harvard College that, between 1766 and 1820, was home to more than one thousand artefacts, natural specimens and works of art from around the globe.

Taking its name from the academic discipline of natural philosophy, the Philosophy Chamber served as a lecture hall, experimental laboratory and picture gallery. A hub of art, science and ideas, the room was frequented by an array of artists, scientists, travellers and revolutionaries and its collections stood at the centre of artistic and intellectual life at Harvard and the New England region for more than 50 years.

Its contents were donated to Harvard by its global network of alumni and supporters and the collection studied and displayed there was amongst the first of its kind in North America. The extraordinary collection included scientific instruments, natural specimens and works of art, all used to support research and teaching.

A small portion of the original Philosophy Chamber collection survives today in various Harvard repositories and Boston-area museums.

Image: Pierre-Jacques Volaire, Vesuvius Erupting at Night, 1767. Oil on canvas. Compton Verney Art Gallery & Park, Warwickshire, U.K. Photo: Courtesy of Compton Verney Art Gallery & Park.

The Philosophy Chamber at The Hunterian features over 100 items including paintings, prints, rare books, exotic artefacts from pioneering exploration, early Native American objects and scientific instruments.

Highlights from Harvard include: an exceptional example of Native Hawaiian feather work; Stephen Sewall’s mural-sized copy of the Wampanoag inscription on the landmark known as Dighton Rock, an 11-foot boulder located in Berkley, Massachusetts; and full length portraits by 18th century American artist John Singleton Copley.

Glasgow highlights include: a reflecting telescope produced around 1760; an Inuit female cagoul from the Davis Straits; and an Inuit paddle donated by a captain from the Glasgow Whale Fishing Company.

Image: Unknown artist, Native Hawaiian, ‘Ahu’ula (Feathered Cape), 18th century. ‘I’iwi (Vestiaria coccinea) and ‘o’o (Moho nobilis) feathers, olona (Touchardia latifolia) fiber, silk, and cotton thread. Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology, Harvard University, Museum Purchase, Huntington Frothingham Wolcott Fund, 11-65-70/84100. Photo: Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology, PM# 11-65-70/84100 (digital file 99170065); © President and Fellows of Harvard College.

‌The Philosophy Chamber underlines the intellectual, cultural and trade connections between Glasgow and Boston in the latter part of the 18th century. The collections at Harvard and Glasgow developed in parallel, and are both the result of bequests and donations. The objects chosen for display have great significance, reflecting their vital role in teaching and research at both institutions.

Harvard's 'Philosophy Chamber' was established in 1765, some 10 years before the American Revolution. The exhibition explores aspects of this transformative period in transatlantic history and questions the place and importance of scientific enquiry and debate in the broader context of the relationship between the new republic and Britain.

The artefacts and works of art on display illustrate the connections and differences between the institutions as well as the links between the society, trade and commerce of the time. A print of Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), who visited the University of Glasgow and befriended Professor John Anderson (1726-1796), emphasises just one of these connections. 

The University of Glasgow also established an 'Experimental Chamber' that predates Harvard’s Philosophy Chamber. A collection of books, minerals and artefacts was held in the Old College Library, erected in 1732. Like the Philosophy Chamber, Glasgow's Experimental Chamber was used for the teaching of Natural Philosophy and students would carry out experiments and demonstrations with scientific instruments. These instruments were curated by a young James Watt (1736-1819) who was in charge of their maintenance and repair. Some still exist and are on show as part of the exhibition.

The Philosophy Chamber also offers the chance to see 'cutting-edge' teaching and research tools that played an important part in transforming Harvard College into a leading learning institution.

Image: Benjamin Martin, Cartesian Diver, c. 1765. Colored blown glass. Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments, Harvard University, 0082b. Photo: Courtesy of the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments; © President and Fellows of Harvard College.