The city councils of any city, with the approval of the mayor or recorder thereof, may establish in such city institutions authorized to collect and hold certain educational and economic collections, the object of each being the scientific, educational and economic instruction of the public concerning commerce, manufacturing, mining and agriculture; said institutions to have power to purchase or accept by gift any real estate, money or personal property necessary for their use and promotion, and power to use, convey or transfer the same, as if they were bodies corporate, to be governed by boards of trustees, nominated, appointed and confirmed in such manner as the city councils may determine.
53 P.S. § 3581