The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University closed its doors to the public Sunday as supporters continued pushing for a funding agreement they say could keep the Philadelphia museum open for at least another year. Visitors stood in line in the rain and wind Sunday afternoon for what coul d be their final visit to the Academy, while organizers with Save the Academy handed out pamphlets, gathered petition signatures and urged Drexel to accept an offer from the William Penn Foundation. The museum received an offer from the William Penn Foundation on Friday to cover operating costs for at least another year while it figures out a path forward. In response to the offer, a Drexel spokesperson told NBC10, “We look forward to continuing conversations with William Penn Foundation and other supporters as part of our ongoing evaluation to find a long-term sustainable future for the Academy.” A mobile billboard outside the museum Sunday carried a direct message: “TAKE THE DEAL.” “I think it’s a toss up at this point. So public pressure is critical, which is why we’re out here today,” Save the Academy organizer Sarah McAnulty said. Organizers have been rallying to save the Academy since Sept. 1, when Drexel and the Academy announced the closure, citing declining attendance and rising operating costs. “It’s not over until the building is wiped of those exhibits,” McAnulty said. For visitors who came to the museum on its closing day, the possibility of losing the institution was difficult to accept. “It’s hard to say that it’s bittersweet, it’s mostly just bitter,” Christian Caamano of Carlstadt, NJ, said. The Academy opened in 1812 and opened to the public in 1828. Generations of families have visited its dinosaurs and collection of 19 million specimens. Sawyer, a visitor from Philadelphia’s Fairmount neighborhood, said they were “a little sad that it’s going to be gone, but happy I went for the last day.” For another museum visitor, Caden, a favorite exhibit was easy to pick. “I like to see the polar bear,” Caden said. The fight over the Academy’s future has also reached Philadelphia City Hall. New legislation has been introduced that would make zoning changes that could make it more difficult to sell the building for commercial or industrial purposes. “They sell this building, that’s a move backwards!” Philadelphia resident Tres Jordan said. A Philadelphia City Council meeting concerning the Academy is currently scheduled for Oct. 7, 2026, at City Hall. For Caamano, the potential loss of the museum reflects a broader concern. “It’s hard not to just feel bitter about it just because hearing all the lack of funding that’s going on, not just with this museum, but museums all over the place. It’s just very hard to sit through,” Caamano said. This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC Philadelphia. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC Philadelphia journalist edited the article for publication. ...read more read less