Philadelphia's historic museum closure: City Council demands answers from Drexel University

Philadelphia has long relied on its cultural institutions to define its identity, but the sudden closure of the Academy of Natural Sciences has sparked a sharp conflict between the city and Drexel University. On Monday, City Council members spent several hours interrogating university representatives about the decision to shut the museum doors to the public after nearly two centuries of operation.

The dispute began on September 1, 2026, when Drexel and the Academy announced that the museum would no longer be open to the public. The facility, which houses 19 million specimens, officially closed on September 27. The move triggered international criticism and a local push to save the institution, leading to the legislative hearing in City Hall.

More than 120 attendees filled the council chambers, waving signs that read "Save the Academy" and booing as Drexel officials took the stand. Melissa Richman, Drexel's executive director of operations, testified that the university's operating model was "quietly devouring the Academy from within." She stated that Drexel provided over $49 million in direct cash support over the last 15 years to cover recurring deficits, along with tens of millions in administrative support.

Richman explained that Drexel is currently working to erase its own deficit and can no longer afford the $5 million to $6 million in annual support required for the museum. She noted that the decision to close followed a two-year strategic study underwritten by the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, which explicitly recommended the closure due to the building's high capital needs.

Council members focused on the financial gap needed to reopen the site. The Academy's public programs cost $7.7 million last year but generated only $3 million in revenue. Committee Chair Isaiah Thomas asked if a city and private sector commitment to offset the $4.4 million annual loss would allow the museum to reopen in its current Parkway location. Richman replied that a financially sustainable model addressing the building's $150 million in deferred maintenance would make reopening a possibility.

Tensions rose when Council members noted the absence of Drexel president Antonio Merlo and Deputy Mayor Trish Wellenbach. Merlo was on campus for a reaccreditation site visit, while Wellenbach sent a statement claiming she was not the appropriate person to testify. Councilmember Jeffery Young Jr. tore up her statement, signaling that the body plans to issue subpoenas to compel testimony from specific individuals at a future session.

The hearing occurs while Drexel and the Academy renegotiate their affiliation agreement, a process that has not yet produced a deal. The William Penn Foundation has offered to cover the museum's subsidy for one year to allow time for a long-term solution, but Drexel has not yet responded to the proposal. A source close to the negotiations indicated that no further talks are currently scheduled.

A second hearing is set for November 16, where Council members plan to press for a clearer path toward reopening the museum. The Academy's board president, Suzanne Biemiller, stated during the Monday session that the organization would like to see the commissioning of a feasibility study to guide next steps.