Academy of Natural Sciences to close on September 30th

Days after announcing they'll be closing the Academy of Natural Sciences opens to the public to some very sad crowds and Jill, a lot of feelings about this one and you got to see it for yourself. Yeah, I did. The crowds, they really showed up today ahead of that september 30th museum closure for the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University and including this weekend, there are only four weekends left before we say goodbye to this Philadelphia staple. The country's oldest natural science research museum and institution sits right here outside Logan Square. The Academy of Natural Sciences has been around since 18 12. The museum dates back to 18 28 droves of people showed up to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University today ahead of the museum's september 30th closure. There is a binoculars in there. Did you really try as hard as you could to find a way to not close it. Operating hours as of last year shifted to friday through sunday. So today marked its first day since that september 1st announcement. I grew up going here, went on field trips. I remember coming here when I was their age and when I heard it was closed, I got sad and I wanted to come down and have the kids come down here one last time before everything closes down. A message from the president of Drexel University and chair of the Academy of Natural Sciences board of trustees says, quote, while the museum will close, the academy remains committed to public engagement in 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. The parasites changes in audience behavior and increasing operating costs as factors leading to that decision. Moving ahead, they say the focus is on the academy's future and its collections and how they can be used to further science between all the Children's groups and school groups that could come and people that want to bring their kids and philanthropists in this area that we couldn't somehow come up with a solution doesn't mean closing it. I had to come today. I feel like I'm saying bye to these dioramas that I've seen my whole life. These giant fossils uh that I've grown up with. Mary pat Wicks 10 grew up as a member and has kept that tradition alive with her Children. She's upset her grandchildren may not get the same educational opportunities. This was the first place to exhibit a dinosaur skeleton in the western hemisphere. So there's so much history of science and it is a disgrace that it might not be here as far as where the collections will go from here. The media representative I with today says talks are still underway in center city. Jill Croce, Fox 29 News. Jason. All right, Jill. Thank you.