Ed Muirhead Physics Museum
The Ed Muirhead Physics Museum aims to celebrate the discipline of physics at the University of Melbourne. The museum also serves as an intellectual laboratory and a muse. The collection derives entirely from the School of Physics, which was established in 1882 as the School of Natural Philosophy.
Physics today spans the infinitesimal world of the quantum into deep space. Physics breakthroughs have a profound effect on our society and satisfy our profound curiosity about the origin, evolution and fate of the universe. Thousands of students take some physics subjects to support their ambitions as physicists, architects, astronomers, botanists, doctors, software engineers and sometimes, as archaeologists and artists – all inspired by recent discoveries.
The Museum is named in honour of Associate Professor Ed Muirhead, Chairman of the School of Physics from 1980 to 1986, who fostered its initial formation, while simultaneously developing a new academic agenda for the School, which has helped position it for the 21st century.
Its symbol is the Winged Victory of Muirhead, made up in a composite of elements from the Muirhead collection assembled into the Winged Victory form, in a manner reminiscent of Arcimboldo, the Florentine court painter who created similar composite images.
Visit the Museum in person or online
Visit us at Level 2, School of Physics South Building on the corner of Swanston and Elgin Streets, Parkville. We are open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Contact us
Email us on museum@physics.unimelb.edu.au. Please see our Acquisitions Policy.