The Astronomical and Copernican Museum of the INAF - Rome Astronomical Observatory (OAR), along with the Ancient Library, is located at Villa Mellini in Monte Mario, which is also the Headquarters of the National Institute of Astrophysics (INAF). It possesses a heritage spanning a historical period from the 11th century to the present day. The new exhibit inaugurated this year on the occasion of the 550th anniversary of Copernicus' birth will allow visitors to move through a journey that will take them from the origins of astronomical thought to the present day, touching on the major milestones that have marked the understanding of our universe. The historical tour runs through four rooms-Pre-Galilean Instruments and Ancient Spyglasses; Evolution of Optics; Geodesy, Topography and Computation of Time; and Earth and Celestial Globes-that lead to the larger Copernican Room reserved for temporary exhibits and a final room that illustrates the present and future of the Institution's astrophysical research.