America's Oldest Natural History Museum Is Closing Permanently

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University

After nearly 200 years, the historic Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia will permanently close its public museum operations on September 30, 2026.

“For nearly 200 years, the museum has been a welcoming space, creating memories for generations of families, schoolchildren, nature lovers, and scientists. The Academy is more than just the galleries and display areas, however. Our collections, containing more than 19 million specimens, and our critical scientific research must be prioritized. We hope you will stay connected to the Academy and its mission of learning from and preserving the natural world,” was mentioned in the official statement. 

Dinosaur Hall

The Academy of Natural Sciences has stood as a beacon of discovery, inspiring generations to understand and protect the natural world. Its story began in 1812, when seven naturalists gathered with a shared vision: to advance scientific discovery. Together, they laid the foundation for what would become one of the world's most significant natural history collections.

By 1828, the founders realized these scientific treasures were too valuable to keep hidden away. They opened the doors of their museum to the public, pioneering a new era of natural history education and forever changing how the world connects with science.

Over the past several years, Drexel University and Academy leadership have embarked on an extensive journey to fortify the Academy and secure a sustainable future for the historic institution.

The decision to permanently close the museum was driven by financial problems: “This difficult decision was made to protect the collections and scientific mission at the heart of the Academy and represents an important step toward addressing the Academy’s financial challenges.”

While the museum will close, the Academy remains committed to public engagement and education, and work will continue to identify new, financially sustainable opportunities for the public display of elements from its collections and for engagement with the natural sciences. - “Closing the current Parkway museum is, therefore, a difficult decision taken to concentrate resources on the Academy’s enduring scientific assets and research. Closing the museum addresses an immediate challenge, but it is just the first step in the larger project of building a sustainable future for the Academy.”