Historic North Philadelphia science museum reopens

PHILADELPHIA One of the city's most distinctive science museums reopens today after important restoration work.

Founded in 1855, the Wagner Free Institute of Science is a museum and educational institution that has stood virtually unchanged for nearly 150 years at 17th Street and Montgomery Avenue in North Philadelphia.

The old-fashioned building, a national landmark, was closed for the summer for restoration. It reopens today with guided tours of the glass-cased collections and the newly restored library wing.

Director Susan Glassman says the library collections had been housed on a gallery above the museum, in a somewhat inaccessible spot withless-than-ideal environmental conditions.
The open house today features science activities, scavenger hunts, and guided tours.

Kerry is visiting Philadelphia today
Philadelphia Inquirer

In his second visit to the city in less than two weeks, Sen. John Kerry will address black clergy from around the country today in West Philadelphia.

"He's getting to be a huge Eagles fan," Kerry campaign spokesman joked yesterday.

The Democratic presidential nominee plans to address the clergy at 4 p.m. today at 3801 Market St.

"He wants to communicate to the African American community at large that they have a stake in this election," the spokesman said.

Kerry was last in Philadelphia on Sept. 23 for a rally at the University of Pennsylvania's Hill Field.

While in the city today, he also will meet with supporters of stem-cell research.

His campaign said in a news release yesterday that he would lift "ideologically driven restrictions" on stem-cell research if elected president. The campaign said he would fund research with at least $100 million a year while ensuring strict ethical oversight.