Friends of CMNH

Support through service, research, and education.

Friends of CMNH is a volunteer organization of Museum members that supports and advances the Museum’s mission to connect the public to science and the natural world. Friends members achieve personal growth and enjoy fun learning and social experiences.

Friends of CMNH activities include:

• Hosting an array of science-related presentations, guided tours and nature walks, a Science Book Club, and social gatherings that enrich members’ understanding of the natural sciences
• Supporting the Kirtlandia Intern Program (via a dedicated endowment) in sponsoring student interns (350+ so far) to assist curators with scientific research and other important work
• Funding an annual appreciation luncheon for Museum staff and funding summer youth camperships

If you would like to learn more about our programming, please attend one of our public events, which are listed on the Museum’s calendar.

Member responsibilities & Perks

• All members are encouraged to attend, as well as to help organize, staff, and sponsor, Friends of CMNH events and General Meetings.
• Interested members can take a more active role engaging with our Leadership Council. This group meets online monthly with our Museum liaison to plan and implement Friends activities.
• Friends members receive FREE admission and FREE parking at all Friends lectures held at the Museum.
• Friends members are included in our members-only Science Book Club, guided activities, and social events.
• Members are kept informed through monthly Member Update emails and our Facebook page.

Interested in Joining Friends of CMNH?

If you enjoy expanding your knowledge of the natural world and meeting people with similar interests, Friends of CMNH offers many wonderful opportunities. Annual membership dues start at $50. A Museum membership (any category) is required to join Friends of CMNH.

Not a Museum member yet?

Become a member today

To join Friends of CMNH, click the button below to use the online form. The Museum's Membership team will be in touch to process your application.

Join Friends of CMNH

We also accept printed forms mailed with a check. Send completed forms to:

Friends of CMNH
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
1 Wade Oval Drive, University Circle
Cleveland, OH 44106-1767

To support Friends of CMNH, donate now. (Please select “Annual Fund” from the dropdown list, enter your information, then at the bottom of the page enter “Friends of CMNH” in the “instructions for designated gifts” box.)

Our History

Friends of CMNH formed in 2022 as a merger of the Museum’s Women’s Committee and the Kirtlandia Society, both of which were instrumental in making the Museum what it is today.

Established in 1940, the Women's Committee has played an integral role in volunteer, fundraising, and event-sponsorship efforts, with contributions of more than $1.75 million since its inception.

The Kirtlandia Society was organized in 1976 to support the research and educational goals of the Museum. The group was named in honor of doctor and naturalist Jared Potter Kirtland (1793–1877), who founded the Cleveland Academy of Natural Sciences, a predecessor of the Museum.