Academy of Natural Sciences Philadelphia closes
by Fatou: Natural History Museum
After close to 200 years, the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia is done. Shut down for good. Drexel University dropped the news last month, pointing at declining attendance plus the school's own financial struggles. Sunday was the last day anyone could walk in. It sat on the Ben Franklin Parkway and held the title of the country's first natural history museum. City Council wants a special hearing next month to question museum leadership about what led here.
Transcript (en)
A beloved museum here in Philadelphia is now closed for good after nearly 200 years of educating children and families. The Academy of Natural Sciences on the Ben Franklin Parkway was open to the public one final day on Sunday. Drexel University announced the surprise closure last month, citing declining attendance and the university's financial struggles. City Council plans to hold a special hearing next month to hear from museum leadership about the struggles leading to the closure.
