The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, the oldest natural history museum in America, has closed to the public. Protesters, including those in dinosaur costumes, are urging the university to accept a funding offer from the William Penn Foundation to support the museum’s operating costs for another year. Advocates like Clark Perks and Sarah McAnulty are calling on Drexel to allow the academy more independence to negotiate its future.
Drexel has indicated openness to the idea of disaffiliation from the academy and states they are engaged in discussions about its future. Local leaders, including Governor Josh Shapiro and Mayor Cherelle Parker, support preserving the institution, underscoring the importance of cultural heritage. McAnulty emphasized that this situation highlights the value of such cultural institutions.
