200 Years of Discovery

From March 2012 through March 2013, celebrate the 200th birthday of the Academy with a year of exciting events, special programs, public engagement activities, and a very special exhibit, The Academy at 200: The Nature of Discovery. Explore highlights from our collections during specially themed months, watch real scientists at work, and even get up close with rare specimens from our behind-the-scenes collections. Experience the thrill of discovery as we set off into our third century!

herpetology specimens in the 'The Academy at 200' exhibit

The Academy at 200: The Nature of Discovery

The Academy at 200 celebrates the groundbreaking discoveries of the past and present and provide a glimpse into our future. » More

Young museum visitors look as specimens during a bicentennial event

Monthly Bicentennial Themes

Explore highlights from the Academy’s amazing collections during themed bicentennial months. Every month we will showcase a different theme. » More

Authors Robert M. Peck and Patricia Tyson Stroud

Bicentennial Events

The Academy will offer an entire year of events, programs, exhibits, and more in celebration of the launch of the our third century. » More

Archivist Clare Flemming presents a 1911 photo album by Mabel Campbell

Behind-the-Scenes Tours

Take a guided tour of one of collections during your visit to the Academy. Tours are held Thursdays through Mondays at 11 am, and vary monthly. » More

compartments in a collection box filled with natural history specimens

Collection Boxes

Start your own library of life! Each month during our bicentennial, we’ll highlight a different collection. Stop by each month to pick up a free specimen relating to that collection. » More

Joe on the Go

Take one of natural history’s most important figures with you as you travel, take a photo, and share it with us on Facebook, Flickr, or Twitter. » More

200 Years. 200 Stories.

Get a glimpse of the Academy’s rich history and its amazing discoveries. » More

Bicentennial Events

Thursday May 17

The Next Generation of Urban Manufacturing in Philadelphia

Can Philadelphia’s sustainability movement support policies and initiatives to strengthen urban manufacturing? Find out at this Urban Sustainability Forum.

» View all Upcoming Events

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is America’s oldest natural history museum and a world leader in biodiversity and environmental research. For 200 years, the Academy has explored the remarkable diversity of our natural world, sharing these discoveries with the public through extraordinary collections, innovative exhibits, educational programming, and publications.