Academy of Natural Sciences' museum is set to close this month
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Photo: Courtesy of Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University will close its museum for good on Sept. 30.
Why it matters: It's a massive and unexpected blow to Philadelphia's cultural scene along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, which is losing a nearly 200-year-old museum and tourist destination.
Driving the news: The museum fell victim to pressures brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, including rising operational costs and declining attendance.
- Scott Cooper will also step down as CEO of the academy immediately.
- The changes at the academy were revealed Tuesday in a news release from Antonio Merlo, president of Drexel University, and Suzanne Biemiller, who heads the academy's board of trustees.
The intrigue: The academy's future appears uncertain.
- Closing the museum will help the academy protect its collections, sustain its scientific research, and address its financial challenges, per the news release.
- Yes, but: The institution's leadership noted it's "just the first step in the larger project of building a sustainable future" for the academy.
- Britt Faulstick, a spokesperson for the university, declined Axios' request for comment.
Zoom in: Academy leadership says that the institution's public engagement and education will continue, but what that will look like is TBD.
- Discussions are ongoing with the administrations of Mayor Cherelle Parker and Gov. Josh Shapiro, along with David Cohen, a former Comcast exec who was tapped as a third-party facilitator by the governor, per the release.
- Those talks include the academy's long-term future, how to boost its scientific mission, and ensuring access to its collections.
Flashback: The academy's museum has seen cutbacks in recent years.
- We told you earlier this year that the academy nixed its long-time summer camp.
- And in late 2025, the museum reduced its hours due to low attendance and loss of federal funding.
Context: The academy was founded in 1812 and has grown to house a colossal, world-renowned natural history collection.
- The museum has occupied its current site near Logan Square on the Parkway since 1876.
- In 2011, the academy became affiliated with Drexel University.
By the numbers: The academy's collection includes 19 million biological specimens, fossils, archives and other scientific resources.
- That includes the popular Dinosaur Hall, which boasts a gigantic Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton.
- Plus: Its 75,000 titles of scientific literature — one of North America's most comprehensive collections — has volumes dating to 1529.
What's next: The last day to get tickets to browse the museum's collection is Sept. 27, per the academy's website.
- Tickets: $16-$20.