# City Council fights to save Academy of Natural Sciences

> Philadelphia's oldest museum faces closure, but lawmakers are exploring alternatives to keep the 198-year-old institution alive.
- Title: City Council fights to save Academy of Natural Sciences
- Summary: Philadelphia's oldest museum faces closure, but lawmakers are exploring alternatives to keep the 198-year-old institution alive. City Council is holding…
- Keywords: academy of natural sciences, philadelphia, city council, drexel university, museum closure, jeffrey young jr, nina ahmad, cultural institutions, fundraising, preservation, news, local
- Source: PhillyVoice — https://phillyvoice.com/city-council-academy-of-natural-sciences-closures-hearing
- Published: 2026-09-17T21:46:39.287+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: academy of natural sciences, philadelphia, city council, drexel university, museum closure, jeffrey young jr, nina ahmad, cultural institutions, fundraising, preservation, news, local
## Philly's oldest museum faces closure
The Academy of Natural Sciences, founded in 1828, is set to shut down on September 30 after Drexel University cited financial difficulties and declining attendance.
## 19 million specimens at risk
The museum houses over 19 million specimens and fossils, including the first mounted dinosaur, a Hadrosaurus foulkii discovered in New Jersey.
## Council introduces resolution to explore alternatives
Councilmember Jeffery Young Jr. introduced a resolution to examine the closure's impact and develop alternatives like partnerships and fundraising to keep the institution open.

> As a father, I don't feel right allowing that place to just disappear
## Mayor and governor pledge support
Mayor Cherelle Parker and Governor Josh Shapiro said they would work together with Drexel to preserve the Academy's mission.
## Public testimony supports keeping museum open
Museum supporters testified at Thursday's City Council meeting, with former employee Marie Gilbert calling it an important part of Philadelphia's and world history.

> We need the academy to remain open because it is an important part of not only Philadelphia's history and the United States' history, but also the history of the world
## Building lacks historic designation
The Logan Square building housing the collection is not listed on Philadelphia's Register of Historic Places, which would offer protections against major changes.
## Councilmember Ahmad demands more information
Councilmember Nina Ahmad, who co-sponsored the legislation, said Drexel must provide details on how the museum reached financial crisis and that closure is not inevitable.

> There are options and opportunities to address this issue without closure being on the table
## Hearings could happen before deadline
Council President Kenyatta Johnson's office said a hearing could take place before the September 30 closure, though nothing has been scheduled yet.
## Closure sparks protests and petitions
The abrupt announcement has prompted public outcry, with supporters launching protests and petitions to save the nation's oldest museum of its kind.
## Key takeaway

City Council is holding hearings to develop alternatives like partnerships and fundraising that could prevent the Academy of Natural Sciences from closing on September 30.