Philadelphia leaders work to preserve Academy of Natural Sciences as museum prepares to close
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- City and state leaders are working to keep the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, even as its museum prepares to close following an announcement made this week.
The effort is focused on preserving the academy's research, education and public engagement missions, according to David Cohen, an attorney and former U.S. ambassador to Canada who has joined the effort.
"It makes me heartsick," Cohen said of the museum's closure.
Cohen said he became involved at the request of Gov. Josh Shapiro.
"The governor asked me to get involved," he said.
Along with Cohen and Shapiro, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker is part of a group seeking a solution for the academy's future. In a statement to Action News, Parker said, "We are working collaboratively toward the outcome we all seek for the City of Philadelphia."
READ MORE | Philadelphia's Academy of Natural Sciences museum to close after nearly 200 years
Cohen said he is volunteering to help broker an agreement between the Academy of Natural Sciences and Drexel University that would preserve the academy and its research operations.
"I describe it as a three-legged stool; the three legs of the stool are research, education and public engagement," Cohen said.
He acknowledged changes could be coming to those functions but said the academy's overall mission would remain intact.
"Each of the legs may be a little shorter ... but that long-run mission of the academy will continue," Cohen said.
The museum has faced years of financial strain because of declining attendance. Although the museum is set to close, Cohen said it could return in a smaller form in the future. The building on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, however, will be vacated.
"One of the options is the sale of the building," Cohen said.
Despite the planned restructuring, Cohen described the outcome as positive because it would keep the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia.
"It's a part of our history. It's a part of our culture," he said.
Cohen added that the academy had received interest from other locations, including Cleveland and Abu Dhabi, but said remaining in Philadelphia is important.
"It's part of who we are," he said.
City officials also announced that Philadelphia Deputy Mayor Patricia "Trish" Wellenbach will be loaned to the academy to serve as a senior adviser and help guide the institution moving forward.
The museum remains scheduled to close Sept. 30. Afterward, the academy will begin the process of moving its 19 million artifacts out of the building.
