Neon signs reading “Keep it Open” and “Save Our ANSP” filled the Philadelphia City Council chambers Monday, as a standing-room-only crowd demanded the return of the Academy of Natural Sciences’ public museum, which has been open since 1828.
The council hearing featured sharp exchanges about university finances, private events held inside the closed building and the Cherelle Parker administration’s refusal to appear in person.
The Academy’s board chair, Suzanne Biemiller, testified that Drexel University had issued an ultimatum to trustees that could have put the Academy’s funds and assets in the university’s hands.
“Drexel offered us a binary choice, merge fully with Drexel or get a divorce,” Biemiller told the Committee on Legislative Oversight. “Under a full merger, just to be clear, the Academy’s $80 million endowment, its building and the priceless collections would all become Drexel’s assets.”
Biemiller said the decision came about a year ago, when trustees were exploring partnerships with other museums and universities to address the Academy’s finances. Drexel sought to renegotiate the affiliation agreement that has governed the two institutions since 2011.
“Needless to say, this choice caused a crisis at the Academy, diverting the Academy’s leadership’s attention and financial resources from strategic conversations and fundraising,” she said.
The Academy of Natural Sciences was founded in 1812 as the first natural science research center of the Americas. It opened a public museum in 1828 and closed Sept. 30. In 2011, the Academy and its museum merged with Drexel University, in part to secure its financial stability.
Councilmember Jeffrey Young, whose Fifth District includes the Academy’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway headquarters, demanded subpoenas after learning that Deputy Mayor Trish Wellenbach had submitted written testimony rather than attend. “This is disrespect for not being here,” he said. “We’re going to issue subpoenas to talk to these folks.”
Committee Chair Isaiah Thomas said the administration announced its decision at the last minute, surprising members who expected a representative. He recessed the hearing rather than adjourning it to keep open the option for further testimony.
Wellenbach’s statement said that Drexel and the Academy were working with Ambassador David L. Cohen, who represents the city and state, to preserve the institution’s mission. She said she was not the right witness because she could not speak for either organization.
Drexel representatives attended and defended the closure as a financial necessity after years of declining attendance, rising building costs, and operating deficits. Melissa Richman, executive director of operations in the president’s office, said Drexel has provided more than $49 million in direct support since the affiliation began and can no longer afford roughly $5 million to $6 million per year.
“The current operating model was quietly devouring the Academy from within,” she said, reading the university’s statement.
Drexel said public programs cost $7.7 million last year and generated $3 million, and that attendance before the closure announcement was about 70% of pre-pandemic levels. Richman said a two-year strategic study, funded by the Pew Center for Arts and Heritage and examining the building, collections, research operations, and museum finances, recommended closing the public museum.
Councilmembers asked why the university did not seek broader public assistance before announcing the closure, which left residents with less than a month of access. Drexel officials confirmed the endowment is about $80 million. Young cited Council research valuing it at $51 million in 2011 and asked how its assets grew even as the museum’s future deteriorated.
Council members also struggled to reconcile the financial figures. Drexel’s prepared statement listed public programming costs at $7.7 million, but a later exchange identified about $3.6 million in operating costs and $2.7 million in revenue for museum experience and engagement operations. Officials did not fully explain the gap. Young asked whether the city could cover the smaller amount.
“If it can cost taxpayers $3.6 million to keep that open, right, when we as a city contribute, we have a $7 billion budget, right, and we contribute millions of dollars to other cultural institutions in the city, I think that’s something that was very, very doable,” he said.
The William Penn Foundation’s offer to fund another year of museum operations drew repeated questions. Cultural advocates said it could buy time to explore fundraising, partnerships, and a permanent operating arrangement. Richman said talks with the foundation were ongoing but did not say what kept the sides from agreeing before the closure. “We are really focused on a long-term, financially viable solution for the Academy,” she said.
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