Nature on display: the Wagner Free Institute of Science, 1855-1900
Date
2020
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Founded in 1855 on the principle of a cost-free science education for all, the Wagner Free Institute of Science remains one of the oldest operating museums in the United States. For nearly fifty years, the institute flourished in Philadelphia’s scientific community under the influences of its stewards – including William Wagner, Joseph Leidy, and the Board of Trustees – only to fall out of fashion in the face of new museological philosophies, changing neighborhood demographics, and a lack of funding in the twentieth century. Despite these challenges, the WFIS survives today as a rare opportunity for visitors to explore the nature of a Victorian scientific institution. ☐ A close examination of the surviving archives, building, and furnishings of the institute reveal that the WFIS has endured by remaining relevant in the face of population shifts, scientific theories, and museological trends without compromising its commitment to provide accessible and inclusive scientific education. Particularly in the museum gallery, it is evident that the WFIS deliberately fashioned its interior spaces to enhance the learning opportunities of museumgoers while also protecting the integrity of its core natural history collections. As museums today strive to engage with their communities and provide supplementary educational opportunities and democratic access to scientific resources, the WFIS offers new insights about how (and why) museums have mediated the relationship between the scientific community and the public over time.
Description
Keywords
Museum, Natural history, Science, Wagner Free Institute of Science