Museum closure: Council presses Drexel on Academy finances

Drexel University told Philadelphia City Council it spent more than $49 million covering the Academy of Natural Sciences operating deficits over the past 15 years, while the institution's public programs cost $7.7 million annually against roughly $3 million in revenue. The university also cited an estimated $150 million in deferred maintenance at the building.

The Oct. 26 hearing at City Hall, convened by the City Council's Committee on Legislative Oversight, examined why Drexel closed the museum to the public last month. More than 120 people attended, many holding signs reading "Save the Academy" and booing during portions of Drexel's testimony.

Executive director of operations Melissa Richman said Drexel could no longer afford the $5 million to $6 million annual subsidy needed to sustain the institution. She said a two-year strategic study recommended closing the public museum and shifting toward a research-focused model. Councilmember Isaiah Thomas asked whether the museum could reopen if the city and private donors covered the annual operating losses; Richman replied that outside funding could make reopening possible if a sustainable operating model and building maintenance funding were also secured.

Academy Board of Trustees Chair Suzanne Biemiller offered different figures, telling the council that fiscal year 2025 operating costs were approximately $3.6 million against $2.7 million in revenue. The gap between the two accounts prompted councilmembers to ask whether the shortfall could have been addressed through a partnership with the city. Councilmember Jeffery Young Jr. noted the city's $7 million budget and its contributions to other cultural institutions. "We have a $7 million budget, and we contribute millions of dollars to other cultural institutions in the city. I think that's something that was very, very doable," he said.

Two expected witnesses did not appear. President Antonio Merlo stayed on campus for the Middle States Commission of Higher Education's site visit. Deputy Mayor Patricia Wellenback submitted written testimony stating she was not the "appropriate" person to testify on behalf of Drexel or the Academy. Young tore up the statement in front of the audience. "This is crap. We're going to be issuing subpoenas to talk to these folks, because why aren't you here?" he said. Councilmember Anthony Phillips said of Merlo's absence: "I think he thinks we're not smart, and if he does think we're smart, he doesn't care about how people perceive [him]."

Councilmember Quetcy Lozada questioned why Drexel had not approached the council before deciding to close the museum. "When Drexel has been in financial instability, or there has been financial questions, Drexel has never had a problem to come to us and say, 'This is what is happening, this is how we need help, and we need you to back us up,'" she said.

The William Penn Foundation offered to cover Drexel's annual subsidy for one year while longer-term options are examined. The foundation said it had not received a response to the offer as of Oct. 26. Third-year biological sciences major Maggie Walsh said the lack of effort to preserve the institution was a shame, adding that Merlo's absence "doesn't look good."

The hearing ended without an agreement to reopen the museum, and councilmembers indicated that Drexel and the mayor's administration would face further scrutiny. A second hearing is scheduled for Nov. 16.