A brief history of the laboratory's development is presented from its establishment in 1929, to the present. The increasing complexity andtechnical sophistication of its analytical facilities are described. The collections of materials and documents that aid in identification of pigments, corrosion products, woods, stones, textile fibers, dyestuffs, and ceramics, are given special mention, as is the projected computerization of information provided by the laboratory's archives. Problems of conservation in an urban museum are also covered. Article discusses current textile/dye research, investigation of Asian ceramic bodies (notably possible sources of cobalt blue in blue-and-white Chinese ware), use of the laser microprobe for authenticity/analytical purposes, laboratory's system for Pb210 dating, and future study programs. -- AATA