Philadelphia's historic Academy of Natural Sciences museum to close, but officials race to save its mission

Key points

• The museum at 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway will close on Sept. 30, 2026, after nearly two centuries of operation.
• Drexel University cites permanent shifts in visitor behavior and rising operational costs as the primary reasons for the closure.
• The Academy will retain its 19 million biological specimens and 75,000-item library to continue scientific research.
• Academy CEO Scott Cooper has resigned, and Deputy Mayor Trish Wellenbach has been appointed as an interim senior adviser.
• Governor Josh Shapiro and Mayor Cherelle Parker are collaborating with former ambassador David L. Cohen to find a sustainable future for the institution.

Background

The Academy of Natural Sciences, founded in 1812, is the oldest natural science research center in the Americas. It opened its public museum in 1828 and merged with Drexel University in 2011 to secure financial stability. Recent archive reports indicate that the museum had already reduced its operating hours to three days a week before the final closure decision was announced.

How outlets are covering it

WHYY emphasizes the financial unsustainability of the current model, noting that the closure is intended to protect the Academy's scientific assets. PhillyVoice highlights the public outcry, including a petition with over 2,200 signatures and statements from local politicians demanding the museum remain open. Metro Philadelphia focuses on the ongoing negotiations between city, state, and university leaders, noting that while the museum is closing, there is 'growing momentum' toward a durable path forward that preserves the Academy's educational mission.

Why it matters

The closure of a 200-year-old cultural landmark represents a significant shift in Philadelphia's civic landscape. The outcome of these negotiations will determine whether the city's premier natural history collections remain accessible to the public or are restricted to academic research.

What to watch

Negotiations between Drexel, the city, and the state will continue to determine the long-term structure of the Academy. The museum will officially close on Sept. 30, 2026, with public hours ending on Sept. 27. The number of staff layoffs has not yet been finalized.