Delaware County Institute of Science

The Delaware County Institute of Science is a natural history museum in Media that displays mounted animals, minerals, fossils, and Native American artifacts in its collection rooms. The exhibits showcase specimens from different periods and regions, creating a complete picture of the natural world.

Five Quaker men founded the institute in 1833 to spread knowledge through a natural history museum and library. This early effort reflected the community's desire to make scientific learning available to everyone.

The institute serves as a gathering place where the local community comes together to hear scientists discuss nature and environmental topics. You can sense the long-standing commitment to bringing scientific knowledge to ordinary people.

The museum opens on specific days each week for visitors, so it's best to check ahead for exact hours. Members receive expanded access to the collections and can arrange viewings outside regular hours.

The museum preserves the original printing plates used for Samuel Gordon's 1922 mineralogy textbook. These plates are rare artifacts from the printing craft and reveal the institute's deep connection to scientific publishing in the 1900s.

GPS coordinates: 39.91878,-75.39164

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:20