Wagner Free Institute of Science
Saturday, December 2, 2023 12:00 pm EST
Wagner Free Institute of Science
1700 W Montgomery Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19121
Register here.
Explore the Wagner's museum AND its archives during December’s Open House!
This Open House will feature early teaching materials from our archives, including examples of ink and water-color teaching charts made by Joseph Leidy for his students and lantern slide photomicrographs that illustrated Botany, Mineralogy, and Entomology courses in the 1890s and early 1900s. The materials featured were developed to teach about tiny creatures and structures in nature that are too small to see with the naked eye. There will be a demonstration microscope to view historic slides in the Lecture Hall. Learn about how the Wagner taught and shared science with the public more than 100 years ago!
The Exhibit Hall will be open for self-guided exploration of the natural history collection throughout the day. Explore our 100,000 natural history 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. You can also pick up pencils and paper to draw from the specimens on display. There will also be microscopes to view the collections in a new way!
Schedule:
The Museum will be open from Noon to 4 PM
Archival materials will be on display in the Lecture Hall from 1 to 3 PM.
At 2 PM, a selection of the lantern slide microphotographs will be projected - don't miss it!
Things to Know Before Your Visit
• Walk-in visitors are welcome. Advance registration is appreciated and will speed up your entry to the museum.
• There is no coat check or place to stow personal items – please travel light.
• To protect the specimens and our historic interiors, photography is not allowed in the museum and food and drink are not permitted in the building.
•The Institute does not have a parking lot. Street parking on Montgomery Avenue and 17th Street is free and metered parking is available on Bouvier Street and Cecil B. Moore.
A dream that keeps growing…
In 1855, William Wagner had a dream of providing free science education to anyone who wanted to learn, regardless of background or ability to pay. Today, the Wagner offers more programs to more people than ever before! Your support helps us provide free education, not only through the museum, but through a wide range of courses, lectures, field trips, and children’s science programs. Donations also assist us in caring for the museum and library collections and in preserving our wonderful building, which was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1990. To learn more about what we do please visit our website.
Registration Information
In keeping with its original charter, admission is FREE—donations are suggested to ensure the future and quality of Wagner's free education programs and to preserve its National Landmark building and collections.
Suggested Donations
$25/Family
$10/adult
$5/student
For any questions, please email tickets@wagnerfreeinstitute.org or call 215-763-6529 x17.
If you would like to check your membership status or become a member, please email KellyT@wagnerfreeinstitute.org or call 215-763-6529 x11.