Abstract

University museums represent a significant area of museological inquiry, increasingly attracting attention due to their unique institutional contexts. This paper explores their archival dimensions with the aim of proposing a perspective on the documentary heritage of university science museums in Chile. We examine this phenomenon from both theoretical and practical angles, drawing on findings from a study of archival practices within museums linked to university scientific heritage. The study reveals that these institutions are often locally situated and approached in diverse ways by the various museum organizations. The archives within these university museums hold substantial potential for constructing institutional memory, enhancing material collections, and enriching exhibitions and activities. They also offer insight into the scientific and institutional history of our country. Moreover, this perspective allows us to view the archive not merely as a product or reflection of museum activities but as a dynamic space for museological transformation.