From PhillyVoice · · 3m
Academy of Natural Sciences closes, fight continues
Drexel University faces pressure to disaffiliate from Academy of Natural Sciences after its closure.
In brief
Drexel University faces pressure to disaffiliate from Academy of Natural Sciences after its closure. Save the Academy group urges Drexel to disaffiliate from the museum and establish a public process for its future after the institution closed after 198 years of operation. Originally reported by PhillyVoice.
Academy of Natural Sciences closes
The Academy of Natural Sciences closed to the public Sunday after 198 years of operation.
Save the Academy urges disaffiliation
Save the Academy, a grassroots group, urges Drexel University's board to disaffiliate from the museum and establish a public process for its future.
Drexel offers disaffiliation path
Drexel stated it had previously offered the Academy of Natural Sciences a path to disaffiliation and remained open to that possibility.
Drexel seeks private discussions
Drexel said it would continue engaging in good-faith discussions with the academy about its future but prefers these discussions to be private.
Protesters demand public process
Save the Academy called for an independent, public process to decide the academy's future after the museum closed.
Protesters held demonstration
Save the Academy held a protest at the National Constitution Center during an event for a new exhibit curated in partnership with Drexel.
Sarah McAnulty's view
Sarah McAnulty, an organizer with Save the Academy, believes pressuring Drexel to give the museum autonomy may be the best path to reopening.
Drexel's financial report
The Academy of Natural Sciences reported $25.8 million revenue and $23.8 million expenditures for 2025, up from $22.4 million revenue in 2024.
William Penn Foundation offer
The William Penn Foundation offered to fund the museum's operating costs for at least one year while studying its long-term survival.
City Council calls for action
City Council members Nina Ahmad and Jeffery Young called for Drexel and the academy's board to accept the William Penn Foundation offer.
Drexel explores Foundation support
Drexel stated it had not received a proposal for a permanent, sustainable path forward for the Academy's museum but would explore Foundation support for deferred maintenance costs.
City Council holds hearings
City Council will hold hearings starting Wednesday, Oct. 7, to investigate the academy's closure and preserve its mission.
Mayor and Governor collaborate
Mayor Cherelle Parker and Governor Josh Shapiro will work with Drexel to preserve the Academy of Natural Sciences society's mission.
Save the Academy remains optimistic
Save the Academy remains optimistic the museum will reopen and hopes council hearings provide transparency about how closure happened.
What to remember
Save the Academy group urges Drexel to disaffiliate from the museum and establish a public process for its future after the institution closed after 198 years of operation.
