Following the recent temporary closures mandated by state and city officials to limit the spread of COVID-19, in effect since November 20, 2020, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, the Barnes Foundation, The Franklin Institute, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA), and the Philadelphia Museum of Art have jointly announced plans to reopen in January with continued health and safety measures in place for staff and visitors. Eastern State Penitentiary plans to reopen in March and the Rodin Museum will reopen later in the spring.
The Franklin Institute plans to reopen on Wednesday, January 6, followed by the Academy of Natural Sciences on Friday, January 8. The Barnes Foundation also plans to reopen on January 8, with extended hours on select days to provide additional opportunities for visitors to experience the Elijah Pierce’s America exhibition, which has been extended through Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 18, 2021. The Philadelphia Museum of Art plans to reopen on January 8, with new Friday through Monday hours and pay-what-you-wish admission on Friday evenings. PAFA plans to reopen on Thursday, January 21. All plans and reopening dates are subject to change based on guidance from state and city officials.
Cultural institutions along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Eastern State Penitentiary, and PAFA first reopened in late summer, following thorough planning and close coordination with elected officials, medical professionals, and one another. The institutions will continue vigilant, carefully developed health and safety protocols as they once again welcome visitors for rejuvenating cultural experiences, with the well-being and safety of staff and visitors as the utmost priority. Comprehensive health and safety protocols are posted on each institution’s website.
Further details on opening dates and special exhibitions on view, are listed below:
- The Franklin Institute – Public opening: Wednesday, January 6, 10 am – 5 pm
- World-premiere exhibition, Crayola IDEAworks: The Creativity Exhibition, opens February 13.
- Hours: Wednesday – Friday, 10 am–5 pm; Saturday – Sunday, 10 am–6 pm; closed: Mondays and Tuesdays, with the exception of Monday, January 18, 10 am–5 pm.
- Academy of Natural Sciences – Public opening: Friday, January 8, 11 am – 5 pm
- Permian Monsters: Life Before the Dinosaurs opens January 8
- Hours: Fridays – Sundays, 11 am–5 pm, with members-only from 10–11 am each day
- Monday, January 18, 11 am–5 pm, with members-only from 10–11 am
- The Barnes Foundation – Public opening: Friday, January 8, 11 am – 5 pm
- Saturday, January 9 – Monday, January 11, 11 am–5 pm
- Thursday, January 14, 11 am–5 pm(ADDITIONAL OPEN DAY)
- Friday, January 15 & Saturday, January 16, 9 am–6 pm(EXTENDED HOURS)
- Sunday, January 17 & Monday, January 18, 11 am–5 pm
- Regular open hours: Fridays–Mondays, 11 am–5 pm, (10–11 am members-only hour)
- Elijah Pierce’s America (Extended through January 18, 2021)
- Philadelphia Museum of Art – Public opening: Friday, January 8, 10 am – 8:45 pm
- Saturday, January 9 – Monday, January 11, 10 am–5 pm
- Friday, January 15, 10 am–8:45 pm (pay-what-you-wish)
- Rodin Museum – A spring reopening will be announced at a later date.
- Rodin Museum – A spring reopening will be announced at a later date.
- Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts – Public opening: Thursday, January 21,
10 am –4 pm- Hours: Thursday – Friday, 10 am–4 pm; Saturday – Sunday, 11 am–5 pm; closed: Mondays through Wednesdays
- World-premiere exhibitions: Taking Space, Only Tony, and Roll, Press, Pull
- Eastern State Penitentiary – Public opening: March 2021
Joint statement from cultural leaders:
“With the advent of a new year, we are grateful for the opportunity to welcome our visitors once again. Despite the continued challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the resilience of the cultural sector shines through and cultural experiences remain essential to the well-being of the human spirit, providing inspiration, enrichment, and rejuvenation. Undoubtedly, the role of Philadelphia’s museums and cultural organizations will be a critical one in the region’s recovery.”
Signed by:
Scott Cooper, President and CEO, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
Thom Collins, Neubauer Family Executive Director and President, The Barnes Foundation
Sara Jane Elk, President and CEO, Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site
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Larry Dubinski, President and CEO, The Franklin Institute
Brooke Davis Anderson, Edna S. Tuttleman Director of the Museum, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Timothy Rub, George D. Widener, Director and CEO, Philadelphia Museum of Art
Gail Harrity, President, Philadelphia Museum of Art
I’m so very excited to learn that you all are reopening. You’ve been a part of my life since I was a first grader at the “Little School” on Pomona Rd in Cinnaminson, NJ. As a kid, I liked to play in Pompeston Creek near where we lived. Our high school biology teacher taught us about limnologist Ruth Patrick and her pioneering field research on diatoms as an indicator organism for the health of streams. I earned a BS in Biology at Muhlenberg College. My first job was in your neighborhood, at BioSciences Information Service at 21st and Arch St. I went on to a career at Merck & Co., Inc. in West Point, PA. My husband graduated from Drexel University (BSEE) and went on to a career in hardware and software design/testing. Our sons went into the sciences; one is a physician and the other is a chemist. I look forward to coming into the Academy soon. As a PA Master Naturalist, I’m presently developing a native bee habitat garden at a County Park in Chester County. I have studied the subject in order to gain pertinent practical knowledge. If possible, I would appreciate access to the Academy’s publicly available resources and expertise in regard to local native bees and native plants in our area.
Thank you !