Previous Events and Programs

The Harvard Plate Stacks organizes various events and programs for the public throughout the year. We also like to feature events put on by other groups that highlight our collection and the history of Women Astronomical Computers.

To see upcoming events, visit our calendar. You can also explore events with recordings or learn about past exhibitions.

I ♥ Science at the HMSC
February 7, 2026
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1:00PM - 4:00PM EST
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Harvard Museum of Natural History
In Person

Meet members of the Harvard Plate Stacks and Harvard Scientists across the University for a day of hands-on activities at the Harvard Museum of Natural History.

Red heart filled with writing and drawings related to science

Cecilia's Centennial Conference
Oct. 6 - Oct 10, 2025
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9:00AM - 5:00PM EDT
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Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
In Person

This conference is designed to be highly multidisciplinary, with each of its five days centered on common themes. This structure aims to foster connections among scholars exploring similar questions while encouraging dialogue and collaboration across...

Illustration of Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin

Events: Scholar Social: Silent Sky at the Central Square Theater
September 18, 2025
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9:30PM - 11:00PM EDT
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Central Square Theater
In Person
What did Henrietta Leavitt actually hold in her hands when she made her discoveries? Join Harvard College Observatory curators Thom Burns and Lisa Hees Bravata they share selected original glass plates and notebooks used in Leavitt’s groundbreaking work...

Event: Vera Rubin Discovery Festival
June 26, 2025
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4:00PM - 7:30PM EDT
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Science Center Plaza
In Person
Join us after the Historic Change: Vera Rubin panel, for a festival in honor of Vera Rubin taking place in the Science Center Plaza. Connect with different groups, organizations, institutions, and museums to learn more about Astrophysics, Women's History...
Vera Rubin Discovery Fair

Talk: Historic Change: Vera Rubin
June 26, 2025
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3:00PM - 4:30PM EDT
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Sanders Theatre
In Person
Historic Change: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dr. Vera Rubin at Harvard's Sanders Theatre Join us for an out-of-this-world program celebrating the release of the new Dr. Vera Rubin quarter! Part of the American Women Quarters™ Program , which...
Vera Rubin quarter

Virtual Live Stream of Historic Change: Vera Rubin
June 26, 2025
|
3:00PM - 4:30PM EDT
Virtual
Join our live stream of the celebration and panel discussion: Historic Change: Vera Rubin. This out-of-this-world program celebrating the release of the new Dr. Vera Rubin quarter! Part of the American Women Quarters™ Program , which celebrates the...
Live Stream of Vera Rubin Talk

Talk | Paperbase: from Darkroom to Database
April 29, 2025
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11:00AM - 11:45AM EDT
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Pratt Conference Room, Perkins Building, Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
In Person

Join Damon Crockett, Senior AI Engineer at Yale’s Lens Media Lab, for a presentation and demo of Paperbase, a groundbreaking public database of 7,500+ historic analog photographic papers.

multiple colorful rectangular boxes and envelopes with logos and labels of photography companies.

Public Tour of the Harvard Plate Stacks
December 10, 2024
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6:00PM - 7:30PM EST
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Center for Astrophysics | Philips Auditorium
In Person
Join us for an exclusive tour of the Harvard Plate Stacks, where history, science, and art converge. Explore our extraordinary collection up close, including some of its most significant objects. In celebration of the newly published book Attention is...
Looking at Andromeda on a glass plate negative

Talk: Re-envisioning Her Stars
October 18, 2024
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6:30PM - 7:30PM BST
|
Royal Observatory Greenwich | London, UK
In Person
Women have been central to astronomical discoveries, but their work has often been underrecognized. How can we make these stories more widely known and accessible to an eager public? Join us at Royal Observatory Greenwich for an inspiring panel discussion...
Freehily Maureen Beattie as Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin in The Lightest Element photo by Mark Douet

The Harvard Plate Stacks wants to share as many resources as possible, including highlighting events, exhibitions, talks, and programs put on by other organizations. The listing of an event does not imply or constitute or an endorsement, partnership, or sponsorship unless explicitly stated. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed on their websites do not necessarily represent those of the Harvard Plate Stacks, the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard and Smithsonian, or our parent organizations.

Are you featuring items from our collection or sharing the history of Women Astronomical Computers? We would love to know. Send an email to HarvardPlateStacks@cfa.Harvard.edu with information about your event to be included in our records and possibly listed here. We cannot list every event and prioritize scholarly, innovative, accessible, and free programing.