Council threatens subpoenas as Academy vigil marks one month of closure

Roughly 80 people gathered with candles outside the Academy of Natural Sciences on Tuesday evening, marking one month since the museum closed its doors to the public. The vigil, organized by the Save the Academy Coalition, followed a contentious City Council hearing where lawmakers grilled Drexel University officials over the decision to shutter the nearly 200-year-old institution.

The crowd included longtime supporters and a group of Drexel University students who marched approximately a mile and a half from the university's dragon statue at 33rd and Market streets. Among those marching were Ashen Harper, Reese Miller, and Ghost Fazek Asstivala, members of the university's chapter of Young Democratic Socialists of America. Harper stated the students felt an obligation to oppose a decision made by their own institution, declaring, "We can't stand for that and we just have to fight the fight to keep it open."

Alejandra Martinez Melo, the museum's former collection manager of invertebrate paleontology, addressed the crowd with visible emotion. She described the academy's exhibits as her "other children" and expressed uncertainty about their future. "I don't know what is going to happen with my older baby," Martinez Melo said. "I don't know if it is gonna be taken to a storage, to a landfill. I don't know. Drexel doesn't even know. Nobody has an idea of what is going to happen, but as a mom I ask for your help and your support."

Miller, who studied invertebrate paleontology at the museum under Martinez Melo in April, said the closure disrupted her plans to continue working there. "When they announced that the academy was closing, I was in pure shock," Miller said. She credited her mentor for pushing her out of her shell and helping her focus on echinoderms.

Monday's City Council hearing drew more than 120 supporters, some of whom booed during Drexel's testimony. Drexel President Antonio Merlo did not attend, citing a university accreditation visit. The Mayor's administration also declined to send a representative, submitting written testimony from Deputy Mayor Trish Wellenbach instead. Councilmember Jeffery Young Jr., whose district includes the museum, tore up the administration's statement in frustration.

The hearing revealed conflicting financial data regarding the museum's operations. Drexel representative Melissa Richman testified that the academy's public programs cost $7.7 million last year but generated only $3 million in revenue. Academy board chair Suzanne Biemiller presented a different budget, reporting expenses of $3.6 million and revenue of $2.7 million. Council members questioned the discrepancies and the actual cost required to reopen the facility.

Save the Academy organizer Sarah McAnulty said the coalition is seeking a concrete plan from leadership, including an assessment of the funding necessary to reopen the public museum. She noted that the William Penn Foundation offered to cover a year of Drexel's financial subsidy to allow time for a long-term solution, but the foundation has not received a response as of Monday.

Council members announced plans to pursue subpoenas for officials who failed to attend the initial hearing and will continue the session on Nov. 16. The academy's scientific research and collections continue, but public access remains suspended. McAnulty described the ongoing effort as a "war of attrition" and stated, "I know that my colleagues and I are stubborn and never giving up, so I hope they get comfortable."