Date: Wednesday October 7, 2026
Time: 4–5 pm
Location: Medical Historical Library / 333 Cedar Street, Sterling Hall of Medicine
The Medical Historical Library invites Yale students, faculty, and staff to a Special Collections Open House celebrating the launch of our fall exhibition! Signs of Time is a story about “the science of the stars” in the Renaissance: a cross-cultural prognostic practice that brought celestial events to bear on interpretations of time, from seasonal cycles and courses of illness to calendar reform and biblical chronology. At the center of this story are the graphic traditions that defined the practice and rendered astronomical time intelligible, narratable, and consequential for earthly experience.
The exhibition asks: What celestial phenomena counted as signs of time? How were those signs read and recorded? And who had the authority to interpret them? From the politics of prognostication to the physics of planetary influence, Signs of Time presents a unique chapter in Renaissance history: when medical, theological, and geopolitical interests converged around efforts to understand, organize, and claim authority over time through the science of the stars.
The event will introduce visitors to Signs of Time through a selection of additional objects, which will be brought out only on this occasion. Arrive early to see these works up close and hear curator Dr. Phillips present the exhibition’s story and major themes through them. Late arrivals are invited to explore the installation at their own pace, with Dr. Phillips available to answer questions along the way. No RSVP needed. Just come by!
This event is part of the new First Wednesdays series: a monthly program offering direct access to the special collections of the Medical Historical Library.