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
A Sip of Science
Friday, 11/14/2025 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Celebrate 170 years of the Wagner at our signature soirée! Mingle with science and history enthusiasts, community leaders, and Wagner supporters amid our sublime natural history collection.
November First Saturday Open House: Spooky Creature Feature—Bats!
Saturday, 11/1/2025 12 - 4pm
Get up-close-and-personal with live bats from PA Bat Rescue and learn how these spooky creatures help our ecosystem thrive!
Stay up to date on our latest programs, events, and courses.
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