The Academy of Natural Sciences, an international museum of natural history operating since 1812, undertakes research and public education that focus on the environment and its diverse species. Our mission is "the encouragement and cultivation of the sciences."

Description:
The Academy is made up of several parts. Most people are familiar with the museum with its Dinosaur Hall, dioramas of animals and their habitats, hands-on children's area (Outside-In) with its live animals and touchable objects, live Butterflies garden, and exhibits that travel here from other museums for a three-month stay. The museum also develops and presents programs for the Academy's varied audiences: visiting families, school groups and camp groups in the summer time. The Patrick Center for Environmental Research comprises the foremost watershed research in the country. Scientists in the Center for Systematic Biology and Evolution study the relationship of plant and animal groups to each other and to the environment, contributing to a better knowledge of evolution and diversity of the world's species. There are over 17 million plant, animal, insect, and fossil specimens in the collections of the Center for Systematic Biology and Evolution. The Ewell Sale Stewart Library has a collection of some 200,000 volumes used by Academy scientists as well as visiting scholars and the public.

History:
The oldest natural sciences institution in the western Hemisphere, the Academy was founded in 1812 when the U.S. hugged the Atlantic coastline, and Philadelphia was the cultural, commercial, and scientific center of the new nation. Early expeditions to explore the western wilderness were organized by the Academy and explorers brought back new species of plants and animals which were studied and cataloged. They formed the foundation of the Academy's plant and animal specimen collections which have continued to grow since. The Academy opened its doors to the public in 1828 and outgrew its buildings three times in sixty years. In 1876 its present home at 19th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway was built. The Academy initiated classes for students in the School District of Philadelphia in 1932. In 1948, long before water pollution and environmental degradation became topics of public concern, the Academy established the Environmental Research Division. This marked the beginning of a broadened research orientation for the Academy, which included applied research in aquatic ecosystems as well as the traditional systematics research--discovering and cataloging organisms.

Contact person: Lois Kuter, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: 215 299-1028

Address:

1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway Philadelphia, PA 19103-1195 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.ansp.org

Directions:

Nearest Bus Stop: Buses 76, 32 and 33, 1 minute walk For maps or information, please see http://www.septa.com/

Miscellaneous Information

Are court referrals welcomed?
	No