Wagner Free Institute of Science

This place is amazing! It looks small on the outside, but has a great amount of specimens and mineral collections, the admission is free, and they do group visits and lessons in the lecture hall too. The staff is also very kind and professional, Kat’s demonstration of the specimens is awesome. The building’s ancient, so no AC inside, no food, drinks, photography. They are doing a great job trying to preserve the history, please donate if you can! There’re small QR codes on the walls for you to do so.

The museum itself is a work of art! It has that awesome academia feel with a vast collection of specimens, rocks, fossils, and more. I went for their Mushroom event today and really loved the lecture. The staff we're friendly and answered all our questions and have plent of recommendations for getting involved in programs. They have made awesome scavenger hunts and activity sheets for the kids to enjoy, and honestly I should have picked one up myself! The museum feels perfectly frozen in time and sitting in the lecture hall thinking of how many great minds and lectures have been had there over it's 170 years. The note cards under specimens you'll find often are beautifully handwritten long long ago.

An interesting concept with a genuinely unique collection of natural history specimens, but the experience felt a bit limited overall. The Victorian-era display style is charming and historically authentic, though it may leave some visitors wanting more context or interactivity. Quick entry on a weekday. Worth a short visit if you're curious, but manage your expectations.

The Wagner Free Institute of Science was definitely worth the visit. As a lover of the Victorian era, I was excited to see that there was a nearly in-tact, Victorian nature history museum in Philadelphia. The museum is a time machine, and very warm and inviting. There is a lecture hall on the main floor with lovely, old looking chairs (the hall is still used today!) and the museum on the second floor is just so well kept and preserved. The institute has a National Historic Landmark designation as well. Although you cannot take pictures of the second floor, the experience was really wonderful. There are a lot of animal skeletons, taxidermies, and collections of natural things like shells and rocks. It was very quiet and peaceful when I visited on a weekday in the afternoon, and the staff were really wonderful. If you are interested in natural history, this place is worth visiting. It is also donation based, and you can register for free tickets on their Eventbrite page to use any time of day. There are also many events that take place here!

I highly recommend scheduling a guided tour if you are going, or at least visiting with someone well-versed in natural history. The museum serves as a beautiful time capsule of what natural history museums once looked like, but there is a reason they have evolved. Labels give little context and many are too faded to read, and the specimens have only loose organization. But if you have someone to give context to what you're seeing it is amazing, the amount and quality of what you can see for free rivals paid museums.

This is an amazing gift! It shows you the history of this city and it’s thoughtfulness around science. And the history of the natural sciences beginning in the 1850s. It’s an amazing building with an amazing collection that is free and accessible and welcoming.

Fantastic natural history museum. Despite mainly being one large room, there is an endless collection of preserved minerals, insects, mammals, mollusks, amphibians, reptiles, eggs, birds, fossils, and more. There isn't too much in the way of explanation or direct interaction, but for a free museum it's absolutely incredible. They also host free educational lectures/events, and the gift shop has very reasonable prices.

It is a hidden gem, a little far from touristic area, close to temple university so easy to access by public transport (no parking). Building and collection are old but that is the charm of the place. Collection is pretty large although does not seem like it as it is only a single large room but it is very interesting: animals, insects, minerals. Free but you can register online.

They have birds, and as well, crabs. We came here on a date. Also, there are shells. There are many things to look at at this establishment. Tapeworms on exhibit!

This is such a fascinating place on many levels. I can't remember how I stumbled upon this (maybe Atlas Obscura), but I'm glad that I made the effort to search it out. Even some people who have lived in Philly most of their lives have not been here, let alone heard of it! This museum is in a now largely lower-middle class neighborhood, but don't let that deter you from experiencing this gem. Housed in an historic, wooden building, complete with creaky floors and stairs, this is the real deal...a throwback to a different era, unchanged in a hundred plus years, and the intent is for it to remain so. Inside, the main draw is the natural history collection upstairs, in original wood and glass cases, which were made especially for this collection. The signage, as ancient as the collection and the building, is handwritten, in ink now faded, and in a case or two, reflects the name known at that time, but since changed. Here you'll find minerals, shells, skeletons, taxidermied animals, insects, some charts, and for the children (or children at heart), scavenger hunt sheets. Downstairs, on the way to the restrooms, you'll see the fabulous, expansive, original, all wood lecture hall. (I would love to hear anything there!) A small gift shop with some unusual items rounds out the experience. Here, I found a very realistic plastic pangolin (my one souvenir from Philly!). I spent at least 2 hours here, but I'm a natural history nerd, and talked to one of the employees a bit to learn more about the place and its mission.

Seriously underrated science museum with a treasure trove of artifacts! If you can this area for a visit or an event, I'd strongly recommend it. The staff was kind and knowledgeable. No pictures are allowed upstairs, but there's an array of souvenir items in the gift shop if you'd like to commemorate your time. Looking forward to returning (and maybe with a sketchbook!) since there are so many items to look at.

Disclaimer: you are not supposed to take photos, and I took a few before I figured this out. I want to share because I want others to see how cool this place is. None of the Philly locals I know even realize this place exists, so I would like to get the word out. This venue opened in 1865. As one online reviewer noted, "it's like the internet before the internet expedited." This museum is jam packed with fossils, shells, crustaceans, minerals, fish, mammals/taxidermy, insects, skeletons. All well preserved and beautifully displayed in shining wooden cases. The staff is super nice! The price is free, but when I bought my ticket, I gave the suggested donation price. The building oozes 19th century. So unique and cool! Sorry about the photos, but I do wish y'all would allow for non-flash photography so people would know more about this place!

Incredible museum that is filled with specimens of all kinds in row after row of glass and wooden cases! You walk in and see cases of different mammals, birds, fossils, sea creatures, and insects. Each case is absolutely filled to the brim. There is something interesting for every type of interest. I really enjoyed the moth cases that show all the stages of life for different types of moths and seeing their cave bear skull ( there's a black bear skull for comparison nearby). They have a large collection of rocks and minerals - many of which are labeled as being collected in nearby areas. If you have a chance, attend a lecture in their amazing lecture hall. They do not allow photography ( I did take 2 to be able to share the wonder of this place - please forgive!), but encourage people to bring their sketchbooks and draw !

I don't know how I could have lived in the Philadelphia area this long and not heard of this place. I find myself compulsively telling people about it now that I know it exists. It is wonderful. Case after case of fossils, crystals, stones and bugs. There are taxidermy animals and some skeletons on display. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. They offer ever changing kids programs. Admission is free, although they ask for a donation. Parking can be tricky. They are not located in the safest part of town, but we had no issues. The building is beautiful and the experience is a valuable one. Highly recommend, especially if you or your kids have an interest in science.

If you are in the mood for a more grown up version of Bill Nye -- look no further than Wagner. Free is in the title so come by, you're bound to see something you missed last visit! Loads of different science pieces. Taxidermy, skeletons, rocks, sea life, bugs: science folks' idyll on earth. My friend did a savager hunt while I wondered around taking in the exhibit. It's quiet and the staff are helpful answering any questions. It's a gem in Philly and great for a day date, interactive learning with the kids, or spending time soaking in the knowledge. The gift shop is filled with quirky goodies, so pick something up if you'd like to support this local treasure. Don't miss the gemstones-- oh how they sparkle!!!

One of the great, hidden gems of Philadelphia. Amazing place that combines local history, history of science, architecture (and architectural preservation), natural science, and community science education for adults and kids. Walk into the lecture hall, for example, and you'd think you're on a movie set (if it hasn't already been in the movies). The specimen collections - wow! - the antique glass cases, so 19th century. This place is a time machine on several levels simultaneously. The only problem is the odd hours - no weekend hours? I understand that they sometimes have community events on weekends that are open to the public to tour. Check that out, if you're like me and didn't make it there literally for years because you can't find time during the work week. They also have signs prohibiting photography, and perhaps it's flash photos they want to ban. But getting more images of their incredible collections out there on social media would do a lot to promote this organization and its mission. And it's FREE, like in Wagner FREE Institute of Science! But make a donation!

This is such an out-of-the-way gem. Great for adults and kids, this museum is a double attraction - it's a museum full of scientific oddities - flora, fauna, geological, and much more - BUT - it's also a time capsule - the museum itself, the way it presents its exhibits, is itself an attraction. By the way, no pictures - everyone including me was taking pictures - nobody told me not to do so, but eventually I spotted the signs and was like "oops." One guy came in with a massive camera around his neck, so maybe they care more about using flash. I never use flash in museums anyway. The whole institute feels amazingly frozen in time. The collection was largely assembled in the 1890s, and other than preservation, it hasn't changed much since. The cases, the presentation, the building itself, are all like a step back in time. It's easy to imagine you're a Victorian gentleman in a Prince Albert suit strolling amongst the cases while sweating in the Philadelphia summer heat (and truly, the room was pretty hot here in 2019, with fans offering a brief respite). The lecture room downstairs seems like something out of a period drama. It's just a really cool place to see, and certainly more unique and less-known than the Revolutionary War Museum or similar big budget tourist attractions. The museum operates on donations, so it's really important to donate and help support this awesome place. We arrived an hour before closing on a Friday (it was our first stop on a three-day weekend, because they aren't open on weekends sadly) and were warmly greeted, walking in as we did behind another visitor. As it turns out, I think they keep the door locked and you normally have to ring for service. ONE CAVEAT - I think out-of-towners should be aware that the museum isn't located in the nicest part of town. Let me be clear: while I've only been to Philly a handful of times, and don't pretend to know everything about this neighborhood, I live in DC, so it's not as though I'm a skittish Minnesotan or something. The neighborhood is only a short distance from Temple University, and struck me as gentrifying. Vacant storefronts and obviously-poor people around the museum quickly gave way to sushi bars and college kids. There's also a police station right across from the museum, but I know many young families who would be nervous shepherding their kids through the neighborhood. Don't miss out, just get an uber or a cab. You might even find street parking, but I don't know what their parking rules are. Still, we rode the subway (which is kind of a dump, no offense to the friendly denizens of Philly) from City Hall to Cecil B. Moore station and walked from there. Anytime you're out of town, it's harder to read your surroundings, and I was mildly concerned about the neighborhood, as there were a good number of young men and homeless people hanging around, which is often how trouble gets started. We didn't have any trouble though. The fact that they have to keep the door locked to the museum is a sad commentary, however. I didn't want a repeat of the subway and walk, so a $12 uber back to the Bellevue was more than worth it. Just keep that in mind, especially if you're not used to navigating urban environments. Bottom-line: If you're in Philly on a week day and have any interest in history or science, this is a must-see!

How did I not know this place existed? Way cool! It's FREE with suggested donation. It's a old building near Temple and upstairs is creepy cool. Taxidermy, skeletons, geodes. Very, very cool. There's a little gift shop and a lecture hall. There's a cute courtyard and parking was a cinch even on an event day which is when we went for Honey Bee Fest which was AWESOME!!! I will definitely be coming back her with my kiddos ages 4&6. They say ages 6 and up on their flyers but my 4 year old was fine. There is no photography which no one told me until AFTER the staff all stood around and watched me take a photo. Negatives: one very super rude Asian female employee which I guess I can overlook because the other staff was insanely friendly. The bathrooms weren't so great. Like I couldn't even go in. I'll give it a pass for the day and review agai when we go back because we had such a blast this time.

1. The Wagner Free Institute of Science is a free science and natural history museum! They are the oldest institution in the country devoted to the free and open education of adults and they work extremely hard to make this happen. 2. The Wagner offers free and timely lectures, programs and classes that feature experts and relevant topics. For example, today I heard an amazing talk on the puzzling disappearance of American pollen bees. 3. The museum features an amazing collection of mineral and animal specimens on display in their original catalogued state in their extensive viewing room. Exceptionally educational and enlightening, I recommend a visit to the Wagner to anyone interested in discovering the secrets of naturalism, history and the wonders of the world.

This is a Philadelphia hidden treasure, like stepping back in time in every way. Beautiful building on a quiet street with ample street parking, at least at 1pm on a July Tuesday. The collection is vast, so vast that for me I had to focus on a couple of areas of interest and plan to return for more detailed viewing of other sections. The only real cons I can state are the hours - 9am-4pm Tues-Fri is limiting, and the heat. The collection is upstairs and has no cooling, presumably to preserve and not dry out the collection, so it is very, very hot up there. There are a couple of stand fans and some of the windows were open but the heat cut my visit short. That said, this Fall I plan to return and will bring friends and recommend this wonderful gem to anyone.

This is a hidden (head North up Broad) FREE treasure that all should know about. It has weird Science stuff - some of it creepy (Things embalmed in jars) and much of it old and historic in nature. The Wagner is just $20 a year to join (they are free - but the donation really helps them stay around.). They educate TONS of school kids every year - many from bad nabes in N. Philly. They also had my daughter's preschool class up for a feild trip and they loved it. The PHS (Pennsylvania Horticulture Society - aka the folks who produce the Flower Show) also offers several EXCELLENT lectures in conjunction with the Wagner each year. If you are a PHS member - the lectures are FREE. (And awesome!)

The Daughter took us to the Wagner, a Victorian-era natural science museum just a few blocks from Temple University. The museum hasn't changed much in 150 years. You'll see lots of odd things in cabinets with hand-written labels: shells, minerals, fossils, insects, butterflies, birds, sponges, bones, and all the other things that captured the interest of scientists during the Victorian era. Darwin would have loved it. This is a real treasure house and Philadelphia is lucky to have it. If you're visiting Philly for a few days (which we were), put it on your itinerary.

Unique museum filled with specimens of bugs, mammals, shells, fossils, sponges, minerals, fishes, crustaceans, and everything else in the natural world. All labeled by hand and displayed in glass cases. No WI-FI enabled tours, no electronic scenery setups, no remote anamatronic displays. If you like science stuff you could spend hours studying these collections. If science isn't your thing you will still enjoy this old building and unique institution for at least an hour or two. It's free, but one should donate something. Their lecture series are always well attended and so interesting. Peruvian mummies, global warming, bird crashes into windows, strange pathology findings, old lantern slides of philadelphia, beer and wine get togethers, solar eclipse viewing parties, Halloween lectures, etc. etc. check out the web site, wagnerfreeinstitute.org. Visit, Join, attend.

Truly a "museum of a museum," The Wagner Free Institute houses a natural history collection virtually unchanged in its arrangement since 1891. Established to provide free science education for the people of Philadelphia, the Institute pronounces its ethos as "not a reflection of the past, but the past itself, visible and vital." A great commentary for sure, and with enticing events too: The Institute recently sponsored "Science on Tap: The Origin and Evolution of Beer" (!!!) hosted by National Mechanics on January 11th... Hoo boy.

This is a unique and truly memorable place. Philadelphia has more than its share of unique museums (the Mutter, Chemical Heritage Museum, etc), but nothing is like this! The Wagner had its origins during a time when scientific advancement was seen as enlightenment, opportunity, and insight into the human condition. I don't know how this museum went untouched for 150 years - it's never been "modernized", "updated", or "refreshed". It ran the risk of becoming irrelevant to modern ways of thinking about science, but it represents a unique way of learning about Victorian attitudes towards the natural world (kill it, stuff it, display it). The building is beat-up, but they're slowly rehabbing it in a sensitive and historically relevant manner. I'm a scientist, but I found the Wagner more of interest for its architecture, history, and beauty than its scientific value. The staff were very friendly and accommodating, even though I asked them a multitude of arcane questions.

A real science museum that I never knew was here! Not a place for someone with a weak stomach. I love this place because it has so much collection of things from a science laboratory. Favorite place for a science nerd or just someone really inquisitive about life biology and other sciences.

It is awesome how well preserved this museum is. It is like stepping into an actual Victorian Natural History Museum. Well done in its preservation. Great collection of taxidermy, too. Definitely worth the visit. Well done to the staff and curators.

Taxidermy animals. Fossils. Skeletons. Extensive collection of shells, minerals, rocks, and crystals. All preserved in their original cabinetry from the mid-late 1800's, in a building that was designed by the architect of Philadelphia City Hall. This place is a gem!

Intresting stuff. Hard to find though since there are two buildings with the same exact address on that block and my gps kept bringing me to the wrong place

It's a free museum and anyone can take the free classes they hold (taught by Anthropologists and other experts). I think it's great!

Like it's contents, the Wagner Free Institute of Science is frozen in time. A place of beauty and wonder. A Philadelphia treasure everyone should try to experience.

Unique place to visit. Consists of a lecture hall built around 100 years ago and a natural science exhibit consisting of over 100,000 specimens. You could go here 100 times and still not see it all. I would go back in a second.

Went with my 8 yr old today. Quite amazed by what I saw. Enjoyed the information on taxidermy and looking at specimens from all over the world. The place is quite well kept considering its age. The scavenger hunts were fun for adults and kids. Saw a group tour there during our visit. Would love to learn more about the history of the museum and its founder from their developing website. Made a small donation to gain membership status - look forward to taking a class and sitting in that cool lecture hall on the first floor. The staff were friendly too.

Remarkable execution on mission--loved it! Great orientation from staff and fun exploration on my own. Captures the vision that natural history should be accessible to us all.