Wagner Free Institute of Science
Where little has changed but the century! A free Victorian era natural history museum in Philadelphia
Founded in 1855, the Wagner Free Institute of Science is dedicated to providing free public education in science. Its programs include free courses and lectures, field trips and lessons for children and museum tours for all ages. The evening science courses are in their 157th year, making them the oldest program devoted to free adult education in the United States. The Institute also has a strong
08/09/2024
Gloomy weather got you down? Join us at the Wagner for something that really rocks: ! It's not too late to sign up for the LAST tour of our summer season, TODAY (8/9) at 2:30pm. Learn more here: https://loom.ly/P3TetZw
Summer @ the Wagner - Friday Afternoon Guided Tours - Fossils Ready for the weekend? Explore the history and collections of the Wagner with a guided tour!
07/23/2024
Are you curious about the Wagner's history and the the stories its specimens have to tell? Join us this summer for a Friday afternoon tour! Each tour includes a history talk in the historic lecture hall and a guided tour of the museum. The tour this Friday, July 26th, 2:30-3:30 with focus on Women in Science!
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/summer-the-wagner-friday-afternoon-guided-tours-women-in-science-registration-929897206577
07/10/2024
Wondering about at the Wagner? Join our team! We're seeking motivated candidates for our Communications & Development Coordinator (FT) and SNAP Teaching Artist (PT) positions! Visit our website to learn more and apply: https://loom.ly/7JiYMts
07/08/2024
Now that the season is in full swing, spend your at the Wagner! We're excited to introduce a series of events every Friday from 7/12-8/9. Join us for Fridays in the Field and explore the ecosystem of our gardens, or join us for special guided tours beginning with a dive into life! Learn more: https://loom.ly/Py2ZJVs
07/02/2024
Who are we seeing tomorrow for FREE Museum Day? While the Wagner is always free, join us TOMORROW for a special day as museums across continue to open their doors to our community. Learn more here: https://loom.ly/yJYmnEk
06/29/2024
Well, we didn't mean to go *that* long between posts, but what better reason to break our self-imposed media blackout than to announce that the Wagner will be part of this year's festival! Join us in the leadup to with our museum day, a special guided tour, and more! Learn more here: https://loom.ly/T1xKmc0
06/01/2024
TODAY! Race on over to the Wagner to learn all about and ! Join Saint Joseph's University scientist Scott McRobert for LIVE animal encounters, hear from Matt Nelson about the science of , and learn about , the building blocks of life, from Shantanu Bhatt. All free, all today! https://loom.ly/6CQOdcs
Wagner's June 1st Saturday Open House: Meet the Turtles! Learn about biodiversity, meet rare and exotic species plus explore the museum and the collection at our June Open House!
05/31/2024
TOMORROW! Join us on 6/1 for our First Saturday Open House. Come out of your shell at the Wagner and meet LIVE and faculty from Saint Joseph's University team to learn about fascinating creatures and . (Yes, we probably used that pun already, but it's too good.) Register here: https://loom.ly/6CQOdcs
Wagner's June 1st Saturday Open House: Meet the Turtles! Learn about biodiversity, meet rare and exotic species plus explore the museum and the collection at our June Open House!
05/25/2024
NEXT WEEK! Don't miss a day with live animals like this ! Get rowdy with some at our next First Saturday Open House on 6/1. Register here: https://loom.ly/6CQOdcs
05/16/2024
HEY! Yeah, you! What are you doing on 6/1? Join the Wagner for June's First Saturday Open House and learn all about , like this . See LIVE specimens and hear about how turtles are vital species for . Register here: https://loom.ly/6CQOdcs
05/13/2024
Join the Wagner and our partners as we host Science on Tap at National Mechanics! On 5/13, uncover the story of a neighborhood as we hear how helped Philadelphians learn the of Black Bottom. https://loom.ly/74F7Ftc
Community Archaeology in the West Philadelphia Neighborhood of Black Bottom — Science on Tap Philadelphia This event will be held at National Mechanics, located at 22 S 3rd St Philadelphia, PA. Seating is available on a first come, first served basis. Tickets are not required for this event
05/07/2024
Think is all tombs and curses? Think again! Join Science on Tap - Philadelphia on 5/13 to hear how community archaeology can help us learn about the history of a neighborhood and the stories of the people who called it home. https://loom.ly/74F7Ftc
Community Archaeology in the West Philadelphia Neighborhood of Black Bottom — Science on Tap Philadelphia This event will be held at National Mechanics, located at 22 S 3rd St Philadelphia, PA. Seating is available on a first come, first served basis. Tickets are not required for this event
05/06/2024
This may come as a surprise, but don't need to be teenage, mutant, or even ninjas to be absolutely fascinating. Find out why live and in-person at our next First Saturday! Sign up now for 6/1: https://loom.ly/6CQOdcs
Wagner's June 1st Saturday Open House: Meet the Turtles! Learn about biodiversity, meet rare and exotic species plus explore the museum and the collection at our June Open House!
05/04/2024
Join us, and together we can rule the galaxy! Wait… sorry, wrong line. Join the Wagner for First Saturday TODAY, and learn all about how rocks! https://loom.ly/qdgazcc
Wagner's May First Saturday Open House: Space Rocks! Explore the Wagner museum and the collections, and learn all about things that are out of this world!
05/03/2024
What are you lookin' at?
This installment of may not have fun facts, but it does have a piercing stare. What are you *looking* forward to this weekend?
05/03/2024
TOMORROW: Join us for our May First Saturday, the aptly-named Space Rocks! As the pop culture world celebrates a particular sci-fi franchise, this the Wagner celebrates the that inspired the fiction! Take part in rocket building, learn about space telescopes and more. https://loom.ly/qdgazcc
Wagner's May First Saturday Open House: Space Rocks! Explore the Wagner museum and the collections, and learn all about things that are out of this world!
05/02/2024
This clock normally counts down to spacecraft launches, but today it's you're reminder that First Saturday is only TWO DAYS AWAY! Join the Wagner on to celebrate all things . Hear from experts, build rockets, and more! Register here: https://loom.ly/qdgazcc
05/01/2024
Get ready to blast off on May 4th! Join the Wagner for our May First Saturday open house and launch into all things space. Build stomp , hear about space telescopes mapping the stars, and envision a future that's out of this world! Register here: https://loom.ly/qdgazcc
04/30/2024
The Wagner's May on 5/4 is presented as part of ! This innovative learning festival for families and youth is partnering on events all around the world, including our exploration of all things ! Learn more at remakelearningdays.org, and register here: https://loom.ly/qdgazcc
04/27/2024
is more than just a great opportunity to celebrate your favorite sci-fi franchise; it's a great day to visit the Wagner! Join us for a day full of exploration and activities. If you love space, this *is* the event you're looking for! https://loom.ly/qdgazcc
Wagner's May First Saturday Open House: Space Rocks! Explore the Wagner museum and the collections, and learn all about things that are out of this world!
04/26/2024
Spring weather brings out *all kinds* of creatures, some of which can be very inspiring! This week's highlight focuses on the leafcutter . Check out what all the is about!
04/22/2024
Happy from the Wagner! We hope that today you take an extra moment to marvel at the wonder that can be found in 's environments, landscapes, communities, and the entirety of the biodiversity of life. Want to learn some more about this rock we call home? Swing by the Wagner!
04/17/2024
TOMORROW (4/18): Celebrate landmarks and historic sites with the Wagner! Join us for a special guided tour to learn about the that our building and museum have made for and beyond. https://loom.ly/Zh81XXc
International Day for Monuments and Sites - Guided Tour of the Wagner Celebrate National Historic Landmarks with a presentation & a guided tour of the Wagner's architecture and collections.
04/16/2024
Where we you for the last week? The Wagner community turned out in visible excitement to view this spectacular event. What's your story?
04/15/2024
Space. The Final Frontier. Its expanse contains mystery, untold power, and potential. And on 5/4, we're bringing it to you! Join the Wagner for a day of activities for explorers of all ages. Register here: https://loom.ly/qdgazcc
04/13/2024
The terrain of is rocky and expansive. Do you have what it takes to navigate a new world? Try your hand at designing a at our May First Saturday Open House. Take part in this and more on 5/4, register here: https://loom.ly/qdgazcc
04/12/2024
Celebrate of on International Day of Monuments and Sites! As part of this observation of history and heritage, the Wagner joins many other sites in welcoming visitors with special programming. Join a guided tour and hear the history of our piece of on 4/18! https://loom.ly/Zh81XXc
International Day for Monuments and Sites - Guided Tour of the Wagner Celebrate National Historic Landmarks with a presentation & a guided tour of the Wagner's architecture and collections.
04/12/2024
When life hands you lemon sharks, make fun fact art! The artists on the Wagner staff are at it again, using today's post to share a cute doodle of a . Stay tuned for more !
04/10/2024
At our next First Saturday Open House, shoot for the and land among the ! Learn about all things space, including how to build your own stomp , and take flight! This program is free with activities for all ages. Join us on 5/4, register here: https://loom.ly/qdgazcc
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A 19th-century museum of 100,000 specimens and free scientific learning
Founded in 1855, the Wagner Free Institute of Science is dedicated to providing free public education in science. Its programs include free courses and lectures, field trips and lessons for children and museum tours for all ages. The evening science courses are in their 157th year, making them the oldest program devoted to free adult education in the United States. The Institute also has a strong commitment to children’s science education and offers a range of programs for school groups and through partnerships with neighboring schools and community groups.
The Wagner Institute’s nineteenth century exhibit hall – a soaring three-story space – houses an extraordinary collection of natural history specimens including mounted birds and mammals, fossils, rocks and minerals, insects, shells, dinosaur bones, and the first American saber-toothed tiger, discovered on a museum-sponsored expedition to Florida in 1886. Gathered largely by founder William Wagner and Institute curators and faculty during the nineteenth century, the collections are displayed in cherry-wood and glass cabinets dating from the 1880s and maintain their original “systematic” scheme, providing a rare view of a Victorian science museum.
Highlights include William Wagner’s personal mineral collection – one of the oldest in the country – and his fossil collection, representing many important European and American localities and collecting sites of the nineteenth century. The mounted skeletons, skulls and skins represent species from around the globe, including many that are now endangered. The extensive regional entomology collection is notable for its arrangement, which includes the original handwritten curator’s labels.
Originally assembled to teach science, the specimens are arranged for study. The exhibit is one of the largest systematically arranged collections on display in the country and remains in active use as a key educational tool of the Institute’s free science programs. It also serves as a resource for scholarly research.
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Contact the organization
Address
1700 W Montgomery Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
19121
Opening Hours
| Tuesday | 9:30am - 4:30pm |
| Wednesday | 9:30am - 4:30pm |
| Thursday | 9:30am - 4:30pm |
| Friday | 9:30am - 4:30pm |
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