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Councilmember Ahmad Launches 2026 Fall Legislative Session with Rally to Save the Academy of Natural Sciences
PHILADELPHIA, PA – Today, Councilmember At-Large Dr. Nina Ahmad joined colleagues from City Council and advocates from all over the country for a rally to Save the Academy of Natural Sciences. Immediately following the rally, Public Health Chair Ahmad and 5th District Councilmember Jeffery Young Jr. introduced a resolution at the Stated Meeting authorizing the Legislative Oversight Committee to hold hearings on the Academy's closure.
On September 1, 2026, Drexel University and the Board of the Academy of Natural Sciences announced the Academy would be shuttered on Sunday, September 27, 2026. The decision, which was made without consulting with local elected officials, or the input of Philadelphia residents, has resulted in public outcry, demonstrating just how important the museum is, not just to Philadelphians, but to the world.
“City Council has a responsibility to Philadelphians to be good stewards of our most precious assets – one of which is the Academy of Natural Sciences,” said Councilmember At-Large Dr. Nina Ahmad. “For nearly 200 years, this natural science museum has been a gateway to innovative, evidence-based thinking, for both young and old, exploring our past to navigate our future, dreaming big dreams and exploring brave new frontiers! Shutting down the Academy would be a failure of leadership for our City and it is critical that we save the Academy so that future generations can access this treasure trove for another 200 years.”
Founded in 1812 and opened to the public in 1828, the Academy of Natural Sciences would have turned 200 years old in just two years. Home of the first complete dinosaur skeleton on view to the public, the Academy has long been a place for Philadelphians of all backgrounds to learn about our natural history and have access to interactive educational materials not readily available anywhere else.
Equally as important, the Academy is located on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia’s unofficial Museum Row, a draw for tourists from all over the world. In fact, a report from 2025 reported that the Philadelphia region received 26.6 million visitors resulting in $4.6 billion in visitor spending, a $7.1 billion economic impact for the region, and $420 million in tax revenue. These numbers highlight just how important tourism is to Philadelphia, and why the Academy of Natural Sciences’ closure would disrupt the cultural fabric of our city’s tourism center.
“The Academy of Natural Sciences is a landmark of the 5th District and a treasured part of our city’s cultural, educational, and tourism landscape,” said 5th District Councilmember Jeffery Young Jr. “Its work reflects what we mean when we talk about improving quality of life: ensuring that our children and families have access to places that inspire curiosity, strengthen literacy, and open doors to opportunity. We are committed to accountability, exploring every viable solution, and using every tool available to protect this public good. This institution belongs to Philadelphia, and we have a responsibility to fight for its future.”
With the news of the Academy’s closing, public outrage has grown, with local and national news outlets and advocates expressing disbelief at the decision. As the Chair of the Public Health and Human Services Committee, Councilmember Ahmad took personal interest in the announcement, attending the September 8 rally outside the Academy, alongside fellow Members and advocates.
"As Chair of the Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, I am concerned about what the closure of the Academy’s museum means for Philadelphia’s cultural landscape and for the children and families who have relied on it for generations,” said Councilmember Dr. Anthony Phillips. “While the Academy’s research, collections, and educational mission will continue, the loss of the museum creates a significant gap in public access. We have a responsibility to examine the financial challenges behind this decision and explore viable, sustainable options that preserve meaningful access to the Academy and its resources for Philadelphia families."
Today’s “Save T-Rex: Science is a Philly Jawn” rally is in direct response to the demands from the public for City Council to do more and is the first step in Council’s response to Drexel’s decision to shut down the Academy of Natural Sciences.
In her address at the September 8th rally, Councilmember Ahmad shared four potential strategies the City could potentially enact to save the Academy:
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Orphans' Court Petition: Deputy Mayor Wellenbach and the Academy of Natural Sciences Board can petition the Philadelphia Orphans' Court under Pennsylvania Act 141 guidelines to release or modify a restriction under the following conditions: 1) a fund is older than 20 years, 2) total assets are small, 3) or the restriction has become "unlawful, impracticable, impossible to achieve, or wasteful."
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Emergency Capital Grants (The Municipal Route): Because the city cannot spend Drexel’s endowment, a more viable financial bridge is mobilizing capital through the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development (PAID) or requesting emergency state RACP (Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program) funds to cover the capital improvements directly. This strategy frees operational dollars, without triggering a lengthy and legally risky battle over donor intent.
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Explore using the approximately $3.5 million annual payout from the endowment to support a $41 million bond issue.
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Historic Tax Credits Program: with proper structures, Philadelphia could raise 20% of the capital costs from investor equity raised through the Historic Tax Credits program. To achieve this, the Academy would need to be placed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places.
These four strategies, along with other potential options, will be explored during a future hearing in the Legislative Oversight Committee.
“We cannot, in the 250th year of this country, lose its oldest natural history museum to a decision made without public input or a capital campaign,” stated the Save the Academy Coalition organizers. “In an age of AI and misinformation, we have never needed the Academy of Natural Sciences more for its vital work across scientific, cultural, and educational domains. For Philadelphia, and especially for its kids, the closure of this museum cannot be allowed.”
People concerned with the closure of the Academy of Natural Sciences should go to save-the-academy.org for a series of actions steps and reach out to Councilmember Ahmad’s Policy and Community Strategy Manager Shannon Wilson at shannon.b.wilson@phila.gov, if they would like to provide public comment during a future Hearing.
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