International Day for Monuments and Sites - Guided Tour of the Wagner

Did you know Philadelphia is home to 67 of the country's 2,618 National Historic Landmarks (NHLs)? They represent some of Philadelphia’s most important historical places, events and people that are found in neighborhoods throughout the city. On Tuesday, April 18, many of Philadelphia's historic landmarks will offer tours, virtual talks, special activities and prizes as part of an annual celebration organized by the Global Philadelphia Association.

Visit the Wagner to explore our historic site and museum collections, including minerals, fossils, shells, insects, taxidermy birds and mammals. You can explore on your own or use one of our themed scavenger hunts, drawing or coloring activities to guide you. Afterwards, stop by our gift shop and pick up a geode to crack open, polished crystals for your collection, a vintage tea towel or your own copy of Historic Landmarks of Philadelphia!

At 3:30PM join us for a presentation in the Lecture Hall followed by a family-friendly guided walk through the museum, highlighting the Wagner's architecture and a few of the most intriguing specimens—including dinosaur bones and the cabinet of human evolution.

Tickets are not required to visit the museum but if you'd like to speed up your entry, sign up HERE. To register for the guided tour, sign up below. The tour is open to all ages! Admission is free to the museum and tour, donations are greatly appreciated!

• Walk-in visitors are welcome. Advance registration is appreciated and will speed up your entry to the museum. The museum opens at 9:30 am.

• Masks are recommended but not required.

• 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.

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 [email protected] or call 215-763-6529 x17.

If you would like to check your membership status or become a member, please email [email protected] or call 215-763-6529 x11.

Images: an overview of Wagner's Exhibition Hall by David Graham; View of the museum's exhibits by Rob Cardillo.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Wagner Free Institute of Science, 1700 W Montgomery Ave, Philadelphia, United States