The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University will permanently close its Philadelphia museum to the public on Sunday, September 27, 2026. “For nearly 200 years, the museum has been a welcoming space, creating memories for generations of families, schoolchildren, nature lovers and scientists,” an announcement made to the public says. “The Academy is more, however, than the galleries and display areas. Our collections containing more than 19 million specimens and our critical scientific research must be prioritized.”
Formerly the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, it is one of the oldest natural science research institution and museum in the Americas, founded in 1812. (The Albany Institute of History & Art, founded in 1791, is the oldest continuously operating museum in New York State.)
Their mission was “the encouragement and cultivation of the sciences.” The museum was opened in 1828 and relocated to its present location in 1876 on the popularity of its 1868 debut of the world’s first mounted dinosaur skeleton, Hadrosaurus.
The Academy of Natural Sciences has sponsored expeditions, conducted original environmental and systematics research, and amassed natural history collections containing more than 17 million specimens.
The Academy also organized public exhibits and educational programs for both schools and the general public and was known for its interactive experiences and dinosaur exhibits, including a featured Tyrannosaurus rex. The Academy also has 37 dioramas, most of which were installed in the 1930s and 1940s. Some of these were renovated in 2018.
“While the museum will close, the Academy remains committed to public engagement and education, and work will continue to identify new and financially sustainable opportunities for the public display of elements from its collections and engagement with the natural sciences,” the closing announcement says.
The Academy said its museum attendance has declined following the COVID-19 as the costs to operate the museum continues to rise.
“Over time, it became clear that these were not temporary pressures, but fundamental changes in the economics of the Academy’s operational model, costs that have imperiled the Academy’s ability to discharge its overall mission and preserve its legacy,” Drexel University President Antonio Merlo and Academy Board of Trustees Chair Suzanne Biemiller said.
“After examining a range of alternatives, Academy and Drexel leadership concluded that continuing to operate the museum in its current building and form would place increasing pressure on the resources required to safeguard the collections and sustain the research enterprise,” Merlo and Biemiller said.
The Academy’s collections include more than 73,000 type specimens. “The collections serve as an active research resource, with specimens regularly accessed through global online databases and cited in scientific publications,” they said.
“The Academy’s Library and Archives is one of North America’s most comprehensive repositories of natural science literature, with more than 75,000 titles, including rare volumes dating back to 1529.” A number of natural history collections originate with the American Philosophical Society, founded in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin and others.
“We, therefore, remain firmly committed to their long-term stewardship and to ensure they continue serving researchers, educators, students and the public for generations to come,” they claim. “In that spirit, public engagement and education will continue to be important components of the Academy’s mission.”
The Academy of Natural Sciences and Drexel University became affiliated in 2011. In September 2025, they reduced museum visiting hours and laid off several staff members. In February of this year cancelled their children’s science camp.
Scott Cooper, PhD, resigned as the Academy’s President and CEO on news of the closure.
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Photo of the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia in July 2025 provided.
This is heartbreaking to me – I grew up going to this museum and loved it. It is an absolutely fascinating place and some kids who grew up going there became scientists themselves. While the building itself will close and possibly be sold, I am reading that there are ongoing discussions with our governor, mayor and other experts and leaders as to how to steward the collections and ongoing research, etc. Still, it is the end of an era.
I am sure a lot of museums of differnt types are going through similar issues. How terribly sad that there is money for all kinds of CRAP and BS but no money to support wonderful places like this that fire young minds.
Good comment, Arlene Steinberg. Thanks.
Very sad news.
At least the presidency has money to send more missiles and bombs to our “ally” in the Middle East. What would we do without them? (sarcasm)