Welcome to the
Wagner Free Institute of Science
The Wagner Free Institute of Science is a natural history museum and educational institution. Founded by William Wagner in 1855, it is dedicated to free education in science.
Now a National Historic Landmark, the Wagner offers contemporary science programs and a rare experience of a Victorian natural history museum.
Visit the Wagner
The Wagner’s landmark museum is free to visit, open all year round, Tuesday - Friday 9:30 - 4:30pm and on the 1st Saturday of the month from February-June & September-December. Our upstairs exhibit hall houses over 100,000 natural specimens, including ancient fossils, glowing minerals and animals from around the globe! Wander at your own pace or follow the path of one of our themed scavenger hunts. Feel free to pick up pencils and paper and spend some time sketching from the collection.
Accessibility note: The Wagner’s building is a National Historic Landmark. The museum is located on the second floor and requires climbing a flight of stairs to view. Contact us for more information about accessibility.
Upcoming Events
Philadelphia Lantern Slide Salon
Thursday, 10/23/2025, 6 - 7:30pm
Celebrate Archives Month Philly as we showcase glass lantern slides from six local special collections!
In the spirit of lantern exhibition culture, this salon will bring together unique and rarely-seen images presented in the context for which they were originally created. Viewers will join two scientists on their 1937 trip to Mexico to conduct fieldwork, witness the emergence of a new parish in 1919 North Philadelphia, experience the beginning days of the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry, get a glimpse of the inner-workings of famed stained glass artist Nicola D'Ascenzo and his studio, and so much more!
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