Announcing Interim Leadership for the Academy of Natural Sciences
Sep 2, 2026
oday, we are pleased to share that the City of Philadelphia has agreed to loan Deputy Mayor Patricia “Trish” Wellenbach, an experienced leader of Philadelphia cultural organizations, to the Academy to serve as a Senior Advisor to help guide the Academy and provide stability and direction. Ms. Wellenbach will continue to be a City employee and will not receive any compensation from the Academy or Drexel.
Preserving the Academy of Natural Sciences' Legacy and Collections for the Future
Sep 1, 2026
As part of this broader effort and following careful consideration, grounded in deep respect for the Academy’s extraordinary legacy, Academy and Drexel leadership have made the difficult decision to close the Academy’s museum as of September 30. While the museum will close, the Academy remains committed to public engagement and education, and work will continue to identify new and financially sustainable opportunities for the public display of elements from its collections and engagement with the natural sciences.
