Almost two centuries after its opening, the nation’s oldest natural science research institution and museum approaches its final days open to the public. The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University in Philadelphia is set to open the museum’s doors one last time on Sept. 27, 2026. Despite the institution’s impending closure, Philadelphia City Council members are now calling for a special hearing in October, seeking accountability from museum leadership. It is currently scheduled for Oct. 7. 2026, at City Hall. “We’re putting a stakeholder group together, we’re looking at legal options, we are looking at everything, everything. But that hearing is going to show us how did we get here to know how to get out of this,” said Councilwoman Nina Ahmad. New legislation was introduced at City Hall on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, seeking to make zoning changes to the area. The land would be zoned for civic and public use only, making it more difficult to sell the building for commercial or industrial purposes. The closure of the museum was announced on Sept. 1, 2026, with Drexel University citing declining attendance and rising operating costs essentially making operating the museum unsustainable. Philly officials and community members have held rallies outside of the building since the announcement of its closure, calling for the city and Drexel to find a way to keep the institution open. One more rally is expected to be held on Sept. 26 outside of the museum. History of Academy of Natural Sciences The Academy was founded in 1812 by seven naturalists whose mission at the time was to advance scientific discovery. The museum then opened in 1828 as a way to share the Academy’s natural history collections with the public. In 2011, the Academy became affiliated with Drexel University and changed its name from the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. In October of last year, the museum reduced its operating hours from five days a week to Friday through Sunday. At that time, the Academy said the decision was due to visitation rates not rebounding to pre-pandemic levels, federal funding cuts and an “uncertain philanthropic landscape.” In addition to the museum’s closure, the Academy also announced that Scott Cooper, PhD, had stepped down as their president and CEO. ...read more read less