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…
APRIL FIRST SATURDAY OPEN HOUSE &
2024 WESTBROOK FREE LECTURE
Let's Talk About the Birds and the Bees: Science and Myths of Human Reproduction With Dr. Scott F. Gilbert
Saturday, April 6, 2024
12:00pm - 5:30pm
There is a lot of misinformation about reproduction that is passing for science, and it often finds its way into some of society’s most contentious debates. Moreover, even the scientific community has sometimes ended up at odds with itself over competing observations on the nature of reproduction, introducing nuance and conflict into an arena many of us consider to be dominated by hard facts. When exactly does life begin? How do our reproductive cells work, really? Is what could be considered our “soul” encoded into our DNA, and what would such circumstances mean for us?
Dr. Scott F. Gilbert, the Howard A. Schneiderman Professor of Biology (emeritus) at Swarthmore College, leads this year’s Westbrook Lecture on a journey into these controversial subjects and more. Hear how scientific complexities, heroic mythologies, and political ideologies have shaped our understanding of where we all come from, and see how we might be able to nurture truth in place of the myth.
As part of our monthly First Saturday Open House series, the Museum will be open to visitors to come explore the museum’s collections!
Our Annual Member Reception will follow the talk. Meet Dr. Gilbert and enjoy wine & nibbles in the Exhibit Hall.
Program Schedule:
Noon - 3pm: Explore the Exhibit Hall
3 - 4:30pm: Talk in the Lecture Hall
4:30 - 5:30pm: Reception
You may register for the Open House & Lecture, the reception or both.
The reception is free for current Members and $15 for guests.