PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — The Academy of Natural Sciences will close its Parkway museum at the end of the month, ending a nearly 200-year run as a destination for generations of visitors.<\/p>\n
The museum, founded in 1812 and opened to the public in 1828, has long been a fixture for families, students and educators.<\/p>\n
News of the closure left many visitors disappointed as they reflected on memories made inside the institution’s galleries and exhibits.<\/p>\n
“I think it’s a loss to Philadelphia,” said Marcia Halbert of Germantown.<\/p>\n
Halbert, 97, said she visited the museum with her children and brought students there during her career as a teacher.<\/p>\n
The museum, described as the oldest natural history museum, is known for its dinosaur exhibits, interactive experiences and towering Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton.<\/p>\n
Visitors said those attractions helped inspire curiosity and create lasting family memories.<\/p>\n
“He read about it in the books, then to see them in person, that was a neat experience. Having it when I was a kid, then him to experience it,” said Denise Lucke of Northeast Philadelphia.<\/p>\n
Alicia Connery of Cherry Hill said visits to the museum gave children a chance to connect with science firsthand.<\/p>\n
“They would dig up dinosaur bones, see the real bones and everything; it was pretty cool. That stinks it’s closing,” Connery said.<\/p>\n
Staff members were notified of the closure in the morning. According to the academy, visitation has declined despite efforts to rebuild following the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, the museum reduced its operating schedule from five days a week to three.<\/p>\n
“It will definitely be missed because you can do so much in this small area,” said Khadijah Gilbert of Southwest Philadelphia.<\/p>\n
In a statement explaining the decision, the Academy said in part:<\/p>\n
“Continuingto operate the museum in its current building would place increasing pressure on resources required to safeguard collections and sustain the research enterprise. Closing the current Parkway museum is a difficult decision taken to concentrate resources on the Academy’s enduring scientific assets and research.”<\/p>\n
Connery said the museum offered a sense of excitement and discovery that kept visitors returning.<\/p>\n
“You feel like a kid again. You go in there, everything is so exciting; you learn something new every time you come. It’s not like you go in and see the same stuff each time,” she said.<\/p>\n
While the academy’s research operations will continue, the museum’s last day open to the public will be Sunday, Sept. 27. The institution will cease operations on Sept. 30.<\/p>\n
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