Drexel Museum

The Drexel Museum, officially known as the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, is considered the oldest natural science research institution in the Americas. The institution was founded in the winter of 1812 by leading naturalists of the young American republic with the aim of supporting the advancement and cultivation of the sciences. Philadelphia was the country's cultural center at the time, which shaped the decision to found it there. In 2011, the Academy joined the neighboring Drexel University and has carried its name ever since. Today the collection comprises more than 17 million specimens, including botanical herbaria that are among the oldest in the New World, as well as extensive holdings of insects, fish, birds, and vertebrate fossils. Particularly noteworthy are the malacology collection, which ranks among the largest in the world, and the paleontology collection, which houses fossils from the age of the dinosaurs, among other things.

For visitors, the museum offered a unique mix of scientific research and public education. The collections were open to the public from 1828 on, and the display of the first mounted dinosaur skeleton, a Hadrosaurus, in 1868 was a huge hit with the public. An iconic feature of the exhibition was the dioramas, three-dimensional depictions of wilderness landscapes installed beginning in the 1930s. These scenes showed animals from Africa, Asia, and North America and were meant to raise awareness of nature conservation. The permanent exhibitions were complemented by rotating special exhibitions, interactive programs for children and families, and lectures and workshops. The museum was also an important center for environmental research, especially through the Patrick Center for Environmental Research, which focused on the ecology of freshwater ecosystems.

The museum's future, however, was threatened by financial difficulties and structural conflicts with Drexel University. After years of cost-cutting measures and staff reductions, the university announced the closure of the institution in September 2026. The last regular day of operation was September 27, 2026. The decision sparked fierce protests, as many saw the closure as a regrettable loss for science and for the city of Philadelphia. Despite interest from foundations that offered interim funding, the closure stood. During the final months, visitor numbers rose sharply, underscoring the public's emotional attachment to this historic institution.