Institute. The branch remained open until 1962. The Institute has continued to carry out Wagner's initial goals of offering free science courses, while also functioning as a library, lecture hall and museum. The museum maintains more than 100,000 specimens, including minerals and fossils collected by Wagner. Today, the Wagner Free Institute of Science is widely recognized as one of Philadelphia's historical treasures. While preserving its historic building and collections for future generations, the Institute also serves as a rich educational resource for programs on science, natural history, and the history of science from the 19th century to the present. The Wagner has received support from the National Endowment for the Humanities to preserve the building and its collection. See also Academy of Natural Sciences The Franklin Institute Mütter Museum List of National Historic Landmarks in Philadelphia National Register of Historic Places listings in North Philadelphia References External links Natural history museums in Pennsylvania Museums in Philadelphia Historic American Buildings Survey in Philadelphia National Historic Landmarks in Pennsylvania 1855 establishments in Pennsylvania North Central, Philadelphia Paleontology in Pennsylvania National Register of Historic Places in Philadelphia