When Museums Close: Funding, Collections and the Future of Natural History Museums

Podcast overview

The episode examines recent closures of historic natural history museums, the threats they pose to community access and biodiversity records, and how museums can stay relevant amid funding pressures and competition for attention. It features Dr. Jason Kryon of the Natural History Museum of Utah and Dr. Barbara Tears formerly with the New York Botanical Garden Herbarium.

Key insights

• Museums face sustained funding pressures across government, private philanthropy, and private donors, complicating ongoing operations and new outreach efforts.
• When closures occur, collections are typically relocated to other institutions, a process that is costly and logistically complex, especially for large holdings.
• Digitization and modern preservation methods are vital for accessibility and collaboration, but original objects remain essential for verification and deeper research.
• Museums serve as community anchors and STEM workforce pipelines, and re-packaging core strengths is seen as a path to continued relevance.

Overview

The podcast reports on the closure of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University in Philadelphia and rumors that the Sternberg Museum of Natural History in Kansas may mothball. Flora Lichtman hosts a discussion with Dr. Jason Kryon, executive director of the Natural History Museum of Utah, and Dr. Barbara Tears, former director of the Herbarium at the New York Botanical Garden. They explore how natural history museums stay relevant when there is growing competition for discretionary dollars and a tougher funding environment, and what happens to museum collections if a museum shuts down.

Context and Funding Landscape

The guests discuss how museum funding has shifted. The federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) provide crucial support, but budgets have been cut and opportunities are fewer and farther between. They describe short term grants for collections work versus the challenge of sustaining operational budgets for essential staff, building maintenance, and daily operations. They also touch on private philanthropy, noting that newer generations of donors may favor causes beyond traditional cultural institutions, which complicates long term financial planning. Political dynamics around sustainability, conservation, and diversity influence how museums frame their messages, and leaders are careful to avoid taking controversial stances while remaining mission driven.

What Happens to Collections When Museums Close

Barbara Tears explains that selling museum collections would be unethical and potentially illegal, and many holdings would be transferred to other institutions. The Academy of Natural Sciences contains millions of objects, making absorption by another museum difficult from space and funding perspectives. Barbara highlights the logistical and financial hurdles of relocating large collections, including climate control, pest management, secure storage, and the need to update catalogs and digitized records. She references a NSF funded study showing that moving a single specimen can cost between one and ten dollars, illustrating how costs compound for millions of items.

Preservation, Digitization, and the Value of Originals

Jason Kryon emphasizes that while digitization and imaging have become essential for global access, originals remain crucial for verification, DNA, and future research. He notes the role of ultra cold freezers and spectral imaging in preserving genetic material and extracting new data from historical specimens, which can inform our understanding of biodiversity and past environments. The conversation also covers the importance of physical spaces for inspiration and education, not just data and images.

Relevance, Workforce, and Community Engagement

The discussion frames museums as social and educational institutions that train future STEM workers and provide workforce skills. Outreach programs add costs and strain staff, yet such programs are necessary to remain welcoming and societally relevant. The guests argue for repackaging core museum strengths to reach K through gray audiences and to demonstrate value beyond traditional exhibitions.

Conclusion

The speakers underline a tension between digitizing and preserving original artifacts, the political economy of funding, and the community role of museums. The takeaway is that natural history museums must balance preservation, accessibility, and workforce development to stay financially viable and socially relevant.