Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University

Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. Founded in 1812, it is the oldest natural science research institution and museum in the Americas. Located on 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, its mission encompasses scientific research, public education, and the stewardship of a vast collection of biological and geological specimens. The institution became affiliated with Drexel University in 2011, integrating its resources with the university's academic programs.

History

The Academy was founded by many prominent Philadelphians, including John Speakman and John Shinn, amid a growing national interest in the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the study of natural history. Early leaders like Thomas Say, the "father of American entomology," and William Bartram helped establish its scientific credibility. Throughout the 19th century, it sponsored major expeditions, including the Long Expedition to the Great Plains and the United States Exploring Expedition commanded by Charles Wilkes. Key figures such as Joseph Leidy, a pioneer in American paleontology who studied the Hadrosaurus, and Edward Drinker Cope, central to the Bone Wars, were associated with the institution. The museum moved to its current building on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in the early 20th century, designed by architects John T. Windrim and Paul Philippe Cret.

Research and Collections

The Academy maintains one of the world's most significant natural history collections, with over 18 million specimens. Its Malacology department houses one of the planet's largest collections of mollusks, while its Ichthyology collection is globally preeminent, featuring type specimens from the work of George Sprague Myers. The Ornithology department holds extensive collections from explorers like John James Audubon and John Kirk Townsend. The Botany collection includes the historic Lewis and Clark Expedition herbarium. Current research focuses on critical areas such as climate change, biodiversity, water quality in the Delaware River, and environmental toxicology, often conducted in partnership with agencies like the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Exhibits and Education

Public exhibits include the famed Dinosaur Hall, featuring a mounted Tyrannosaurus rex and the first-ever mounted dinosaur skeleton, Hadrosaurus. Other notable displays are the Butterflies! live exhibit, a North American Wildlife diorama hall, and an interactive Outside In children's nature center. The institution offers extensive educational programming, serving thousands of students through school visits and workshops, and partners with Drexel University on graduate programs in environmental science and biodiversity. It also hosts public lectures and community science events addressing contemporary issues like urban ecology and species conservation.

Leadership and Organization

The Academy operates under the leadership of a Chief Executive Officer and a Board of Trustees, with its scientific work directed by a Vice President for Science. Since its 2011 affiliation, it has been integrated into the administrative structure of Drexel University, reporting through the university's Office of the Provost. The scientific staff is organized into departments such as Entomology, Mineralogy, and Vertebrate Zoology. Past influential directors and presidents have included Charles M. B. Cadwalader and paleontologist Edward Drinker Cope.

Impact and Legacy

The Academy has profoundly influenced the development of American science, providing foundational research for fields like ecology and systematics. Its scientists have described countless new species and contributed to major works like the Flora of North America project. The museum has played a vital civic role in Philadelphia, educating generations of visitors and advocating for environmental causes such as the cleanup of the Schuylkill River. Through its ongoing research on habitat loss and environmental policy, the institution continues to shape both scientific understanding and public discourse on natural history and conservation.

Category:Natural history museums in Pennsylvania Category:Drexel University Category:Museums in Philadelphia Category:Research institutes in the United States