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The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University’s museum is closing at the end of this month. The announcement of the museum’s closure sparked public outcry from former visitors and Philadelphians.
And now, the Academy and Drexel University have reached an unusual agreement – with the city stepping in to provide leadership in the midst of the Academy’s previous CEO and president stepping down.
What is the new agreement?
The Academy’s previous CEO and President Scott Cooper stepped down amid the museum’s closure.
And in a message sent out Wednesday, Drexel University said the city has agreed to loan Deputy Mayor Patricia Wellenbach to “help guide the Academy” and “provide stability and direction.”
Wellenbach will be compensated fully by the city, and will not receive any compensation from Drexel or the Academy for this role.
David Cohen, an attorney and the former U.S. ambassador to Canada, was also appointed to help with the effort at the request of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.
He told 6abc that the Academy’s museum “could return later” in a smaller form – but that its current spot on Benjamin Franklin Parkway will be vacated.
While the announcement says the museum will still close, Wellenbach will help the Academy continue with its research and educational outreach and “work toward the funding and operational model needed for long-term sustainability.”
The Inquirer reports that Drexel “holds the reins” in the new agreement and that the Academy board reserves the right to de-affiliate from Drexel and “find a new partner or partners for its collections should it wish to do so.”
What is the Academy and Drexel’s relationship?
The Academy of Natural Sciences was around long before its partnership with Drexel. The Academy itself was established in 1812, and the museum opened in 1828.
The Academy and Drexel’s partnership has been complicated since the beginning.
The affiliation agreement between the Academy and Drexel University was signed in late 2011, and it provided that Drexel would provide substantial financial support for the Academy.
Almost a year ago, the Academy cut museum hours to three days a week and set out to restructure its staffing amid funding concerns.
Then, earlier this year, Drexel and the Academy considered dissolving their relationship entirely. Drexel allegedly told the Academy that it could either “fully merge with the university,” which would give Drexel its collections, building space and endowment, or the two would move to disaffiliate.
This came amid mounting financial pressures for the university and complicated caveats around their relationship (which wasn’t a merger).
Nearly five months later, Drexel and the Academy are still working through their challenges – which include finding sustainable leadership beyond Wellenbach.
Some Philadelphians expressed discontent with Drexel’s management of the relationship in this situation. This includes Sarah McAnulty, who is the executive director of the educational nonprofit Skype a Scientist.
“I think that it’s really important that the people of Philadelphia put pressure on Drexel because I think when they took over stewardship of the museum, it’s not acceptable to close the doors of the public museum,” she said.
Why did the museum close in the first place?
In a statement, Drexel University said visitorship at the Academy’s museum has decreased since the COVID pandemic, and that the space’s economic challenges “were not temporary pressures, but fundamental changes in the operational model.”
The statement also noted that the building’s operating costs and maintenance continued to rise and proved to be too much to sustain.
Drexel University has also faced financial issues over the years – including lower enrollment rates and growing deficits.
McAnulty explained that Drexel’s decision to close the museum seemed to lack transparency – especially as it came on short notice.
“I think the decision is completely unconscionable, and I also want to ask questions like, why was the public not alerted sooner?” she said.
What’s next?
Philadelphians’ reactions range from “furious” to “awful,” and some have even started petitions to garner support for the museum.
For now, Drexel leadership said they will continue to work with the Academy to “identify an appropriate governance structure and interim and permanent leadership for the Academy.”
The Academy of Natural Sciences is the latest in a series of Philly’s storied institutions announcing closures over the past few years.
McAnulty said this trend is “troubling.”
“It just feels like the city of Philadelphia is failing to protect the history of the city and maintain our institutions that help people understand why we are the way we are through science and through art,” she said.
The city’s University of the Arts closed abruptly over two years ago – leaving many staff and students with a week’s notice to make other arrangements and get belongings from buildings.
Another educational institution, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, also cut its degree programs in 2024 – citing declining enrollment and increasing costs.
In light of these previous closures, McAnulty said it is important to try everything to save the Academy.
“I think we need to throw everything we can at the problem,” she said. “I think not just leaving it up to Drexel to give up on the museum when the people of Philadelphia are not giving up on the museum is really important. We can’t just let these people take away a public good like this.”
