Invertebrate Paleontology
Guided Field Trips Exploring the Cultural Geology of Cleveland
The Invertebrate Paleontology Department offers several field trips and walking tours each year that explore the relationship between geology and human culture. The 2012 schedule of trips is listed below. No geological background is necessary to attend. To join these trips you will need to contact the appropriate institution, listed at the end of each trip description. These trips run rain or shine. For more information, contact Joe Hannibal at (216) 231-4600, ext. 3233, or jhanniba@cmnh.org.
Cleveland Museum of Natural History Urban Geology Field Trips
Urban Rocks: Near West Side/Ohio City Stones 
Saturday, April 14, 2012, 8:30 am to noon
Leader: Joe Hannibal
Join us for a tour of classic near West Side Cleveland structures, with a close look at the local and imported stones used in their construction. We will examine the stone, architecture and setting of a series of bridges, churches and other structures. These will include the Old Viaduct, St. John’s Episcopal Church, the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge and St. Patrick's Church. Meet at the Museum. Transportation will be by Museum van. Fee applies.
Learn more about the building stones of Cleveland. For even more information, see Guide to the Building Stones of Downtown Cleveland, available at The Cleveland Museum of Natural History store or the Ohio Division of Geological Survey.
Downtown Cleveland Rocks: Classic Cleveland Buildings and Their Stones
Saturday, September 1, 2012, 10:00 am to noon
Leader: Joe Hannibal
Look for minerals and fossils in the rocks of Cleveland’s best-loved buildings in and around Public Square, including the Cuyahoga County Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument. We will explore rocks quarried in Ohio, Indiana, Georgia, Texas and other locales in the U.S. and Europe. Hear interesting stories about the rocks used for, and the geologic setting of, these buildings. We will meet downtown; meeting location and map will be sent to registrants. Minimum age 8. Fee required.
Mermaids, Marble, and Mesmerizing Cultural Geology
Saturday, September 8, 2012, 9:00 am to 11:30 am
Leader: Joe Hannibal
This guided walking trip will look at the geological setting and terrain of University Circle and will explore the origins and weathering of stone used for a number of classic and newer structures. Among our stops will be Doan Brook, the lagoon, splendid stone chapels, the outsides of Adelbert Hall and the Cleveland Museum of Art, and a variety of glacial boulders and stone sculptures conveniently located along our route. Fee required.
Learn more about Museum field trips.
Lake View Cemetery Geology Walking Tours
Lake View Cemetery Geology Walking Tour – South
Saturday, June 9, 2012, 10:00 am to noon
Joe Hannibal of The Cleveland Museum of Natural History will lead us on this walk, examining the marble and other rocks and minerals that make up the monuments and buildings in the southern part of the Cemetery. The trip will include a visit to the old bluestone quarry and the Garfield Monument. Reservations and a fee required. To register for this field trip please call Lake View Cemetery at (216) 421-2665.
Lake View Cemetery Geology Walking Tour – North
Sunday, September 9, 2012, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Joe Hannibal of The Cleveland Museum of Natural History will lead us on this walk, examining the marble and other rocks and minerals that make up the monuments and buildings in the northern part of the Cemetery. The trip will include a visit to the Wade Chapel, dam, gravesites of two famous Cleveland geologists, and the Garfield Monument. Reservations and a fee required. To make your reservations, call Lake View Cemetery at (216) 421-2665.
Learn more about geological aspects of Lake View Cemetery.