The Heritage Centre strives to preserve the history and culture of the Institute for future generations. It houses photographs, documents, publications, paintings, portraits, developed products and other articles.
The actual idea of a Heritage Centre was mooted in the year 2000 and it has become a reality due to the efforts of the Professor-in-charge Dr. Ajit Kumar Kolar and his team. The Centre was formally inaugurated by Dr. Arcot Ramachandran, former Director IIT Madras on 3rd March 2006 and is located on the ground floor of the administration building.
The display at the Centre provides a pictorial account of the events that led to the formation of IIT Madras, student life in the early years of the institute, and the development of technological and other facilities. The exhibits include photographs, documents, publications, paintings, portraits, products developed and other articles. Information regarding important events, laboratory development, visits of important dignitaries, Indo-German cooperative activities, and academic achievements of faculty and students also are included. Aspects of IIT Madras' campus features and development, campus life and student activities are also included, thus broadening the scope of the Centre to non-academic activities.