Victorian Museum Where the 1891 Display Order Still Teaches

The display arrangement has remained largely unchanged since 1891, when Joseph Leidy reordered the specimens to move systematically from simpler to more complex organisms and through geologic time. Fossils, minerals, taxidermy, and mounted skeletons still sit in that sequence across the Victorian cherrywood and glass cases. Admission is free and walk-ins are welcome, though registering ahead is preferred. Regular hours run Tuesday to Friday, 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, plus the first Saturday of the month from noon to 4:00 PM (September through May, except January)—including a free Monster Mash open house on November 7, 2026. Ask the front desk for a scavenger hunt sheet, or borrow pencils and paper to sketch a case. Note that the exhibition hall is on the second floor and requires climbing a flight of stairs; visitors with mobility needs should contact the Institute in advance for accessibility arrangements.