Preserving Louis Pasteur’s Laboratory Glassware at the Pasteur Museum

The Scientific Souvenirs Room in the Pasteur Museum, inaugurated in 1938, houses nearly 300 examples of glassware and laboratory instruments used in Louis Pasteur’s scientific work, from his studies on molecular asymmetry to his development of the rabies vaccine. As direct witnesses to his experimental practice, these objects combine blown glass, cork, wax, resin, rubber, and handwritten labels. The conservation project carried out between 2024 and 2025 provided a unique opportunity to document the material condition of this collection, investigate the existing alterations, and identify the main factors of deterioration. This study, focused on glassware containing liquids, highlights the fragility of glass and underscores the importance of environmental parameters in its preservation. It serves as a foundation for the implementation of a preventive conservation strategy and a long-term monitoring plan for this exceptional scientific heritage.