The Drexel Founding Collection Fast Facts The Drexel Founding Collection was an original part of Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry, founded in 1891. Founder Anthony J. Drexel gave $1,000,000 to the future first president of the Drexel Institute, James MacAlister, to purchase objects for the Drexel Founding Collection. There are approximately 8,000 objects in the Drexel Founding Collection. The original museum that housed the Drexel Founding Collection was located on the southeast corner of the first floor of the Main Building. The Drexel Founding Collection has 32 paintings by Francis Martin Drexel (1792-1863), A. J. Drexel’s father, a portrait artist-turned-banker. The Drexel Founding Collection is displayed in three galleries that are open to the public: The Anthony J. Drexel Picture Gallery, The Rincliffe Gallery and the Paul Peck Alumni Center Gallery. The oldest object in the Drexel Founding Collection is a bronze Etruscan ram's head from c. 700-500 BC. The objects in the Drexel Founding Collection come from approximately 71 countries.