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The Drexel Founding Collection Fast Facts

  • The Drexel Founding Collection was an original part of Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry, founded in 1891.
  • Founder Anthony J. Drexel gave $1,000,000 to the future first president of the Drexel Institute, James MacAlister, to purchase objects for the Drexel Founding Collection.
  • There are approximately 8,000 objects in the Drexel Founding Collection.
  • The original museum that housed the Drexel Founding Collection was located on the southeast corner of the first floor of the Main Building.
  • The Drexel Founding Collection has 32 paintings by Francis Martin Drexel (1792-1863), A. J. Drexel’s father, a portrait artist-turned-banker.
  • The Drexel Founding Collection is displayed in three galleries that are open to the public: The Anthony J. Drexel Picture Gallery, The Rincliffe Gallery and the Paul Peck Alumni Center Gallery.
  • The oldest object in the Drexel Founding Collection is a bronze Etruscan ram's head from c. 700-500 BC.
  • The objects in the Drexel Founding Collection come from approximately 71 countries.