Academy of Natural Sciences Cuts Public Ops to Part-Time

Beginning today, Wednesday, Oct. 1, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University in Philadelphia will reduce its public operating days from five to three per week due to financial challenges and lack of federal funding. The museum will now be open only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, which account for 70% of its usual visitors.

To begin its new schedule, the museum will be closed on Wednesday, Oct. 1, and Thursday, Oct. 2, for public visitation.

According to an NBC10 Philadelphia report, this shift in schedule is driven by decreased visitation rates following the COVID-19 pandemic, federal funding cuts, and an uncertain philanthropic environment.

“To address these issues, the Academy's leadership team conducted a yearlong strategic planning process to define the roadmap for the Academy's future sustainability,” a statement provided Monday to NBC10 read. “As a result of this planning and careful analysis, we have determined the need for a change in operations in order to achieve greater financial sustainability and a stronger foundation in the long term.”

The museum added that it will continue to offer members-only hours and allocate specific times for school visits on Thursdays and Fridays.

To accommodate the change in hours, the Academy also anticipates a restructuring of staff. These restructuring decisions are expected to be announced in early October. 

“While these are not easy decisions, we are confident they are the right ones as we continue the vital work of stewarding our incredible legacy as the oldest natural history museum and natural science research institution in the Americas,” the statement noted.