This weekend is the last to visit Drexel's Academy of Natural Sciences Museum, which will be closing at the end of this month amid reported financial strains.
On Sept. 1, the academy rattled the greater Philadelphia community by announcing the museum's upcoming closure.
In a letter from Drexel University President Antonio Merlo and Academy of Natural Sciences Board of Trustees Chair Suzanne Biemiller, fiscal stressors following the COVID-19 pandemic were cast to blame.
"Patterns of visitation and audience behavior changed in lasting ways, while the costs of operating the museum continued to rise," the announcement explained.
What will happen to the Academy of Natural Sciences Museum exhibits?
The museum did not respond to questions from USA TODAY regarding what will happen to the existing exhibits.
In the closure
announcement, however, the academy stressed that it "remains committed to public engagement and 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."
When is the last day to visit the Academy of Natural Sciences Museum?
This is thelast weekend in September that the museum will be open for guests.
The museum is open Friday to Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
How much is Academy of Natural Sciences Museum admission?
Museum admission ranges from $16 to $20 online depending on age and student or military status.
Walk up tickets may be priced higher.
To purchase a ticket and reserve a timeslot, visit the museum's website here.
Kaitlyn McCormick is a Philadelphia-based reporter writing all things trending, breaking and city-related for USA TODAY's Philadelphia Metro Connect Team.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When is the last weekend to visit the Academy of Natural Sciences
