Biography
W.& S. Jones were among the greatest scientific instrument makers in London in the early nineteenth century. The firm, owned by brothers William Jones (1763-1831) and Samuel (1769-1859), was also known for marketing globes by W. & T.M. Bardin. According to some sources, Samuel became active about 1810. The firm published a small book in 1812 authored by William entitled 'The Description and Use of a New Portable Orrery' to promote and describe how to use three portable orreries. According to the Preface of the book, this device was designed to be transportable and inexpensive, making it particularly appropriate for school and private tutorial use. Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, was devoted to science as a vocation; according to records at Monticello, Jefferson bought a 'New Portable Orrery' from William Jones in 1792.

Astronomy
The present orrery demonstrates the relationship between the sun, moon and earth, and the planetarium shows the solar system. The tellurian part can be used to show the progression of day and night, the change of the seasons and eclipses. The engraved base is crammed with information.
A pair of cherubim hold banners acting as trade cartouches on either side of the mechanism. The pink and green table supported by two figures in classical drapery, one leaning on a globe, gives information on the six planets nearest the sun for the year 1794. It outlines their distance from the sun, the length of their solar year, their diurnal rotation, diameter, greatest elongation and parallax. Two other tables provide the orbits and distances of the satellites of Jupiter and Saturn.

The present planetarium is an attachment to Jones' orrery, designed to show the motion of the planets around the sun, and to give an idea of their relative size. The engraved base features calendrical and zodiacal scales, giving the seasons, solstices and equinoxes, as well as the relative sizes of the planets.