Six Philadelphia Museums Announce Reopening Plans

PHILADELPHIA — Half a dozen Philadelphia cultural institutions are planning to open back up now that the city has lifted some coronavirus mitigation restrictions.

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.

Temporary closures were ordered on Nov. 20 and lifted for some industries — museums included — on Monday.

"With the advent of a new year, we are grateful for the opportunity to welcome our visitors once again," officials from the above institutions said in a joint statement. "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."

The Franklin Institute plans to reopen on Wednesday followed by the Academy of Natural Sciences on Friday.

The Barnes Foundation also plans to reopen on Friday, 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, Jan. 18.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art plans to reopen Friday as well, with new Friday through Monday hours and pay-what-you-wish admission on Friday evenings.

PAFA is reopening on Thursday, Jan. 21.

While these places have set their reopening date, 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. Health and safety protocols are posted on each institution’s website.

Details on opening dates and special exhibitions on view are below:

• The Franklin Institute – Public opening: Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • World-premiere exhibition, Crayola IDEAworks: The Creativity Exhibition, opens Feb. 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
  • Hours: Fridays through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 pm, with members only from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. each day; Monday, Jan 18 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with members only from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
    
• The Barnes Foundation – Public opening: Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Saturday through Monday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Thursday, Jan. 14, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (ADDITIONAL OPEN DAY)
  • Friday, Jan. 15 and Saturday, Jan. 16, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (EXTENDED HOURS)
  • Sunday, Jan. 17 and Monday, Jan. 18, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Regular open hours: Fridays through Mondays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., (10 a.m. to 11 a.m. members-only hour)
    • Elijah Pierce’s America, extended through Jan. 18
• Philadelphia Museum of Art – Public opening: Friday from 10 a.m. to 8:45 p.m.
  • Saturday through Monday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Friday, Jan. 15, 10 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. (pay-what-you-wish)
    • Rodin Museum – A spring reopening will be announced at a later date.
• Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts – Public opening: Thursday, Jan. 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Hours: Thursday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Mondays through Wednesdays
  • World-premiere exhibitions: Taking Space, Only Tony, and Roll, Press, Pull
• Eastern State Penitentiary – Public opening: March 2021