Fridays in the Field

Founded in 1855 in Philadelphia, the Wagner Free Institute of Science is dedicated to providing free public education in science. Its programs include free courses and lectures, field trips and lessons for children and museum tours for all ages. The evening science courses are the oldest program devoted to free adult education in the United States.The Institute’s Museum houses more than 100,000 natural history specimens, a collection begun by founder William Wagner in the early 19th century and expanded by the renowned scientist Joseph Leidy in the 1880s. Completed in 1865, the Wagner’s National Historic Landmark building is essentially unchanged since the late 19th century and includes a Victorian exhibition hall filled with fossils, shells, minerals and mounted animal skeletons and skins displayed in original wood and glass cabinets. The Museum is  currently open to visitors Tuesdays - Fridays, 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM and on the first Saturday of the month (September - May, excluding January), from Noon to 4 PM.  The Wagner also offers courses, lectures and events in the evenings, in person and online.  Join us!

Wagner Free Institute of Science

Practice  observation and nature identification in the Wagner's Teaching Garden!

The Wagner's Teaching Garden is our most valuable classroom. Not only is our green space full of pollinator gardens, but it is also a certified Wildlife Habitat, Bird Habitat, and Monarch Waystation—our milkweed plants provide valuable nutrients for Monarch butterflies during their cross continental migration.Beginning Friday, April 10th, the Wagner Teaching Garden will be open for independent educational exploration every Friday from 1 - 3:00pm.Visitors of all ages may borrow hand lenses for close observation of our urban ecosystem, use nature guides to help identify the different animals, trees, and rocks found in our yard, or take time to relax in the shade and draw from nature. Wagner staff will be available to facilitate use of materials, but Fridays in the Field is a mostly unguided opportunity to experience the Wagner Teaching Garden.Visitors looking to attend Fridays in the Field must enter the museum through the front entrance on Montgomery street and check in with the front desk. Visitors who walk-in and visitors who preregister, here or through the <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/visit-the-wagner-museum-2026-tickets-1978411533153?aff=website" title="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/visit-the-wagner-museum-2026-tickets-1978411533153?aff=website" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">2026 Visit the Wagner Eventbrite, </a>will have full access to the museum and access to the yard from 1pm - 3:00pm on Fridays.

<h3>Things to Know Before Your Visit</h3>• 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.• The museum is located on the second floor of the building. There are 5 steps at the entryway and a flight of stairs to access the museum. It is not wheelchair accessible.• To protect the specimens and our historic interiors, photography is not allowed in the museum. Open containers of 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. There is 2-hour free parking on Bouvier Street and on many blocks near the Wagner and metered parking on Cecil B. Moore Avenue. The nearest parking garage is at the Liacouras Center on 15th Street and Montgomery Avenue. 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. <a href="https://www.wagnerfreeinstitute.org/" title="https://www.wagnerfreeinstitute.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">To learn more about what we do please visit our website.</a> <h3>Registration Information</h3>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$0 - Wagner membersFor any questions, please email communications@wagnerfreeinstitute.org or call 215-763-6529 x17.If you would like to check your membership status or become a member, please email AbigailC@wagnerfreeinstitute.org or call 215-763-6529 x11.

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Fridays in the Field

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Fridays in the Field

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