Montefiore Collection
The Montefiore Institute, one of the oldest engineering schools in Belgium
Description of the collection
The electrotechnical collection of the Montefiore Institute gathers the instruments and objects collected by Georges Montefiore-Levi, founder and great patron of the former institute of the same name, which is one of the oldest engineering schools in Belgium. This collection, with its diverse and varied objects, provides a vast panorama of the electrical sciences of the 19th and 20th centuries (generators, dynamos, telecommunication devices, arc lamps, electromagnetic measuring instruments, batteries...). The creation of this collection was initiated at the founding of the Institute in 1883, and continued throughout its history. Wishing to provide his students with quality equipment for their practical training, Montefiore used his personal fortune to build new laboratories, workshops and classrooms. With a desire to keep up with the evolution of techniques, he constantly renewed the equipment. With this very extensive collection and modern teaching, the Montefiore Institute was able to position itself as one of the most successful institutions in its field by the end of the 19th century.
From a historical perspective, the Montefiore Collection traces much of the history and development of sciences and the domestication of electricity. Given the important role played by Belgian engineers and industrialists, it can be considered an essential link in the historical and scientific heritage of Liège. Its preservation provides valuable material for all researchers and historians of science. Moreover, several objects demonstrate the competence and savoir-faire of engineers and/or manufacturers of Liège and others places in Belgium (Zénobe Gramme, Joseph Jaspar, Alexis Wéry, Henri Pieper, Michel Gloesner...). Its very origin, intended to allow students to gain access to knowledge, is perfectly in line with the scientific and cultural project of the non-profit organization La Maison de la Science (MASC).
History & development of the collection
The MASC began the stocktaking of the Montefiore Collection in 2018. Its completion constitutes one of the major objectives of the coming years. The identification of all the pieces, and the study of their manufacturing and design context will allow this "signature" collection to be valued as it deserves.
The collection in the museum
Since 2016, a space within the MASC has been entirely reserved to the exhibition and improvement of pieces from the Montefiore collection. Various instruments are also displayed on the first floor of the museum. In addition, some pieces are integrated in the museum tour of the Maison de la Métallurgie et de l’Industrie de Liège. Activities (temporary tours, treasure hunts...) and publications (Facebook and Instagram focus) are regularly proposed to showcase this collection.
