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 all and open all year round, Tuesday - Friday 9:30 - 4:30pm and on the 1st Saturday of the month (February-June & Sept-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.
Our Next Program is…
Wawa Welcome America Free Museum Day:
Free Guided Tour
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
2:30 - 3:30pm
Join us for a special Guided Tour as part of Philadelphia's Welcome America Festival!
Every specimen in the collection has its own story to tell. There are smaller stories of how each specimen arrived at the Wagner and larger stories about evolution, religion, and humans' place in the universe. This guided tour offers a special opportunity to learn more about our specimens, why the exhibit hall is arranged the way it is, and how our museum reflects social and intellectual histories of the 19th and 20th centuries.
The guided tour runs from 2:30 to 3:30 pm. All ages are welcome but the recommended age is 12 and up.
The museum is open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm and free to all visitors.
Advance registration for the guided tour reserves your place on the tour. Please register on Eventbrite. Sign-up will be available on the day of the tour if space is available.
Summer Fridays @ the Wagner!
Join us this summer for our Friday programming!
While the museum is always open to explore from 9:30-4:30 pm Tuesdays - Fridays, Friday afternoons feature two special opportunities to engage with our site and collections!
Fridays in the Field
1 - 3:30 pm; free
Explore the local ecosystem in the Wagner garden! Visitors are welcome to observe bees and butterflies in our pollinator garden, identify and learn about the trees around our yard, and identifying birds flying above!
Walk-ins welcome, though you can register ahead of time to let us know you’re coming that day! 1 adult is required for every 5 children, if you have a large group please call ahead to confirm.
Friday Afternoon Tours
2:30-3:30 pm; ticketed
Join us for weekly guided tours! Each week, the tour will begin in the Lecture Hall with a short presentation on the history of the Wagner, followed by a tour of the museum highlighting the architecture and some specimens from the collection. Each week will spotlight a different area of the collections - explore our Eventbrite for more details on each week’s focus!
Tickets are required as space is limited. All ages are welcome but the recommended age is 12 and up.
Join Our Team!
Communications & Development Coordinator
We’re looking for a full-time Communications & Development Coordinator to boost our profile and help us grow! This position serves a dual role: coordinating the Wagner’s communications and public relations and supporting development initiatives, with a focus on individual giving and membership. Learn more and apply below!
SNAP Teaching Artist
We’re also looking for a part-time Teaching Artist to join our Children’s Education team! This role will lead our SNAP: Science, Nature, and Art in Philadelphia program which partners with 5 schools in North Philadelphia and uses hands-on art projects to teach science concepts and encourage creative expression. Learn more and apply below!