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It was once thought that wild animals rarely lived long enough to experience age-related declines. However, substantial evidence has since emerged that senescence does occur in natural populations, and these deteriorations in vitality are nearly universal across the animal kingdom—shaping survival and reproduction in many species. During this talk, Dr. Finkel will use chimpanzees as a window into aging in the wild.

Like humans, our closest living relatives are exceptionally long-lived and, at first glance, appear to age gracefully: maintaining body condition and social integration well into old age. Drawing on data from wild male chimpanzees at Ngogo in Kibale National Park, Uganda, Dr. Finkel explores growing old in the wild, challenges of foraging, travel, and mating, and whether chimpanzee's seemingly graceful aging reflects the adoption of new strategies to compensate for these age-related changes.

By identifying the mechanisms that link senescence to behavior in a long-lived wild species, this research offers a lens into how aging has evolved in natural environments and offers a comparative perspective on the evolutionary foundations of longevity, including in humans.

An evening lecture series, Weeknights at the Wagner,invites experts into our Victorian lecture hall to speak on a range of science and history of science related subjects. Each talk includes a Q&A with the speaker.

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From cave paintings, to love letters, to bank statements, or even the plans for the moon landing, writing down our ideas—as words and images—gives them power and helps us communicate across centuries. For writing to last, stylus must meet surface and create an indelible mark. At this Open House, Thomas Jefferson University Chemistry Professor Dr. Thomas Twardowski will present a set of demonstrations that explore inks and surfaces, binding and sticking, marking and fading, to illuminate the traditions of written communications.

Be among the first to view newly acquired lantern slides! The Wagner received 4 donations of lantern slides this fall, including slides of Philadelphia roads in the nineteen-teens, Belgium in 1917, and botanical and architectural educational slides. This event will be the first time these slides are projected! No registration required.

Get an insider's look at the Wagner's Entomology Collection with Entomologist and Wagner Educator Tín Rodriguez. No registration required.

Unleash your creativity by sketching from our 100,000+ natural history specimens in the museum. Guests of all ages and artistic abilities are welcome! No registration required.

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Acclaimed stained glass artist Judith Schaechter will discuss her immersive installation "Super/Natural"—a luminous, three-tiered cosmos rendered in glass. The work draws on her residency at the Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics, incorporating insights from biophilic design and the rich history of women’s contributions to botanical art. "Super/Natural" reimagines nature as a space of awe and contemplation, inviting viewers into a renewed sense of wonder and connection with the living world.

Admission is free to everyone and donations are accepted to support our mission.

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What happens when the traditional rules that govern taxonomy, the practice of naming species and higher categories of life, predate evolutionary thinking? Do you break the rules to accommodate new discoveries? Join Jason Downs, a consummate rule follower, as he argues that rules should be followed until they no longer work—then they should be rewritten.

Science on Tap is a monthly gathering at National Mechanics Bar in Old City that features public discussion on engaging science topics.

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During this special open house explore how people historically learned about minerals and other natural elements. Visitors can view educational lantern slides from our archives, look at different minerals under a microscope, and explore optical mineralogy. Visitors may also experiment with minerals from the Wagner's teaching collection, testing things like hardness, luster, color, and cleavage to identify each mineral. We'll also have a mineral station and children's activity table, featuring the metamorphic minerals of the Wissahickon.

There will be talks and demonstrations in our lecture hall throughout the day. Make sure to join us at 1 pm for Mineral Oddities by Karenne Snow and at 2:30 pm for a glowing demonstration of Fluorescent Minerals by Bruce Mitchell—both are longtime members of the Philadelphia Mineralogical Society. The Wagner will also have a collection of minerals for sale, priced between $1 - $20. This is a great opportunity for those looking to start or grow their own scientific collection!

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

A Sip of Science is our signature soirée, bringing together science and history enthusiasts, community leaders, and Wagner supporters for an evening of celebration amid our sublime natural history collection.

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Did you know Pennsylvania is home to nine different species of bats? Learn why bats are important animals in our ecosystem, how humans can help protect them, and how they’re not as scary as they may seem during our November Open House! A special presentation from The Pennsylvania Bat Rescue and Rehabilitation Center will be given at 1pm where brave participants will get to meet and greet some of the center's live ambassador bats!

Visitors can also view skeletons, spiders, and other spooky specimens in our collection, decorate paper bat masks, and try their luck at a blind touch table and guess a specimen by feel. Scavenger hunts and sketching supplies will be available to those looking for deeper engagement with our collection. Adults & children are encouraged to come in costume!

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Celebrate Archives Month Philly in the Wagner's historic lecture hall as we view glass lantern slides from local special collections!

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FALL COURSE: ZOOLOGY SERIES with Professor Greg Cowper at the Parkway Central Library.

Collecting Insects in Brightest Africa will chronicle the adventures of hunting ‘small’ game in Africa.

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Join us as we unveil the Wagner's new native plant pollinator gardens and learn all about the birds, the bees and our Pawpaw trees!

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Learn how illustrations, photographs and other visual communications came to permeate everyday lives and experiences in the United States.

This class is sold out. Join the waiting list HERE.

Over six weeks, this course will look at some important aspects of maps to understand how maps function. By putting them into their specific social and cartographic contexts, the course will examine how they represent and convey ideas about the world we live in.

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Explore the Wagner museum during our Back to School Open House!

Dive deeper into the Wagner’s history and collections with a guided tour at 1 and 2:30 pm. Held in collaboration with Girard College, visitors can also stop by Founders Hall Museum to learn more about the connections between William Wagner, Stephen Girard, and their lasting legacies of supporting education.

Explore your local ecosystem this summer at the Wagner's Fridays in the Field! Beginning June 20th, the Wagner Teaching Garden will be open for independent educational exploration every Friday from 1 - 3:30pm.

Register Here

Explore your local ecosystem this summer at the Wagner's Fridays in the Field! Beginning June 20th, the Wagner Teaching Garden will be open for independent educational exploration every Friday from 1 - 3:30pm.

Register Here

Explore your local ecosystem this summer at the Wagner's Fridays in the Field! Beginning June 20th, the Wagner Teaching Garden will be open for independent educational exploration every Friday from 1 - 3:30pm.

Register Here

Discover the heart and soul of North Philadelphia this July with the North Philadelphia History Festival! Join Scribe Video Center along with other North Philadelphia partners as the Wagner's Teaching Garden is transformed into a reimagined Freedom Library. Current and former neighbors will share their lived experiences, elder jazz musicians will recount legendary stories, and community members will explore what it means to protect Black Historic Districts.

Register Here

Explore your local ecosystem this summer at the Wagner's Fridays in the Field! Beginning June 20th, the Wagner Teaching Garden will be open for independent educational exploration every Friday from 1 - 3:30pm.

Register Here