There’s sad news coming out of the Philadelphia area after the Academy of Natural Sciences announced that it plans to close its Parkway museum. For those who don’t know, the museum has been a fixture in the region for nearly 200 years, welcoming locals and visitors alike.
However, the museum, which is billed as the oldest natural history museum, has seen a drop in visitation over the years, prompting the folks who run it to make small tweaks to try and keep the lights on, like opening just three days a week.
But rising costs and the lull that the Academy of Natural Sciences experienced during the COVID years proved to be too much for the long-lived establishment, and it announced the planned closure to employees and the public on the morning of Sept. 1, 2026, according to 6ABC News.
Now people around the world are reacting to the news, sharing their disappointment and begging for a last-minute savior to come in and fund the museum to keep its doors open.
The Academy of Natural Sciences First Opened to the Public in 1828
CBS News reports that the museum will close its doors to the public on Sept. 27, 2026. It has been a great place for parents and schools to bring their children, and there are tons of educational activities to keep visitors entertained while also educating them in the process.
Some of the things the museum is known for include its interactive experiences and dinosaur exhibits (which also include a massive T-Rex skeleton).
According to 6ABC, staff was notified of the closure by the Academy, which shared a statement with the outlet. “Continuing to operate the museum in its current building would place increasing pressure on resources required to safeguard collections and sustain the research enterprise,” the statement read. “Closing the current Parkway museum is a difficult decision taken to concentrate resources on the Academy’s enduring scientific assets and research.”
People Reacted to the News Online
Upset fans of the museum took to Threads to share their feelings. “Can someone please save Philly’s Academy of Natural Sciences? It’s been open for 200 years,” one person wrote.
People jumped into the comments to tag Pennsylvania lawmakers and businesses to see if anyone could help out, including Comcast and Governor Josh Shapiro.
Another person called the closure an “utter tragedy for Philadelphia and the world,” noting that the museum was founded by the country’s first scientific society.
Those hoping to make one last pilgrimage to the Academy of Natural Sciences will still have a few more weeks to do so. However, visitors may want to remember that with the shortened Friday through Sunday schedule and renewed interest in doing a final walkthrough of the space, they may need to make a plan to ensure they can get their tickets.