In the more than 100 years since the Cleveland Museum of Natural History was founded, its building—and location—has adapted to meet the needs of our community and better support the Museum's mission.
Follow along on this visual journey to see how the Museum has evolved over the years—from the two-room building that housed its first incarnation to the 375,000-square-foot campus that exists today.
The Ark (1830s)
Before there was even a Museum, there was "the Ark”—a humble two-room building on Cleveland's Public Square. In the 1830s, the Ark buzzed with curiosity as local naturalists gathered there to study and display specimens. Overflowing with fossils, taxidermy, and artifacts, this tiny structure sowed the seeds of what would become the Cleveland Museum of Natural History nearly a century later.
The Lennox Building (1920)
When the Museum was officially founded in 1920, it opened in an office in the Lennox Building, at Euclid Avenue and East 9th Street. By 1921, an Education Department was established, led by a lecturer who brought natural history directly to Cleveland’s classrooms—a tradition of outreach that continues at the Museum to this day.
The Hanna House (1922)
At the end of 1921, the Museum acquired a striking new home: the Leonard C. Hanna House, at 2717 Euclid Avenue. Located on the elegant Millionaires’ Row, the mansion opened its first public exhibit on June 24, 1922. For many Clevelanders, this was their first encounter with the marvels of natural history.
The Brown Mansion (1925)
As interest in the Museum grew, so did its collections. In 1925, the Museum expanded into the neighboring Harvey H. Brown House (right). The Hanna House (left) became the public face of the Museum—with exhibits, education, and public programs—while the Brown mansion held the library, collections, and offices. Together, these mansions housed the Museum for over three decades.
The Museum That Never Was (1928)
In a fascinating “what if,” the architecture firm Walker & Weeks designed a grand new home for the Museum in 1928. Planned for a site across from the Cleveland Museum of Art, it would have created an impressive presence in the city’s cultural hub. But the Great Depression halted fundraising, and the vision never materialized.
A New Era in University Circle (1958)
In 1958, the Museum made a major leap, moving into a brand-new facility in University Circle. This two-level structure was designed for exhibits and education, while offsite locations continued to store the growing collection. The move marked a pivotal moment in the Museum’s evolution into a modern institution.
In this photo, you can also spot Old Grizzly—a 4-ton limestone bear statue originally commissioned from sculptor and Cleveland Museum of Art instructor William Mozart McVey in 1933. After the Museum’s move, Old Grizzly was relocated from its previous site near the former Cleveland Zoo’s bear enclosure in Wade Park. Today, you can find the beloved bear in the Museum’s Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden—Presented by KeyBank.
The move to University Circle was also momentous for the spectacle it caused in Cleveland. Transporting the Museum’s collections and exhibits across town was no small task—but Museum volunteers rose to the occasion, helping to transport specimens across the city by caravan. Imagine seeing an open convertible driving a taxidermy lion through downtown!
Expanding Horizons (1972)
In 1972, the Museum underwent a major expansion. This 85,000-square-foot addition brought new galleries, classrooms, a paleontology lab, and a courtyard. Visitors also gained access to Murch Auditorium, the Harold T. Clark Library, and the Rare Book Room—spaces that fueled both curiosity and discovery.
Also visible in this photo is “Steggie”—the landmark Stegosaurus sculpture that has charmed visitors for decades. The original Steggie was introduced to visitors in June 1968 at the Museum’s Dinosaur Days Children’s Carnival. The 18-foot-long, 8-foot-tall statue was modeled after a Stegosaurus created for display at the New York World’s Fair earlier that decade and was an instant hit with Museum-goers of all ages. So popular and well-loved was the first Steggie sculpture that the original was retired in 1997 and replaced with a new and refreshed “Steggie II.” Now sponsored by Museum Board member Kristie Kohl and her husband, Jack, that statue continues to welcome visitors at the Museum’s Wade Oval entrance.
The Evolution Continues (1989)
In 1989, another 62,000-square-foot wing was added to the back of the Museum. This space introduced a large traveling exhibit hall, a new gift shop, and additional floors dedicated to collections and administrative work. The Museum’s footprint was growing to match the scope of its mission.
Shafran Planetarium (2002)
In 2002, the Museum debuted the striking Nathan and Fannye Shafran Planetarium. Its angled roof cleverly points to Polaris (the North Star) and its stainless-steel cladding—embedded with fiber-optic lighting—sparkles like a constellation, inviting visitors to explore the Universe from right here in Cleveland. Although the planetarium’s exterior retains its iconic design, the inside has now been upgraded with enhanced sound, stunning visuals, and state-of-the-art technology.
Pre-Transformation (2015)
By the time this photo was taken in 2015, the front of the Museum stood poised for transformation. Plans were already underway for a dramatic reinvention, which would reshape both the building and the visitor experience. As the Museum planned for the project, it collected feedback and considered what its audiences wanted—such as the desire for more natural light.
The Road to Reinvention (2016)
In 2016, the Museum took its first bold steps toward transformation. The redesign of the Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden—Presented by KeyBank provided a beautiful new home for the Museum's animal ambassadors. Featuring soaring walkways that wind through Ohio ecosystems, this outdoor gallery connects visitors with nature in an up-close, immersive way.
The year 2016 also marked the debut of the Larry Sears and Sally Zlotnick Sears Garden, located along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Adorned with artist Viktor Schreckengost's towering Mammoth and Mastodon sculptures, the garden welcomes visitors to the Museum and University Circle. Its opening elevated the Museum's presence on Wave Oval—setting the stage for a complete reinvention.
Where We Are Now: A New Era of Discovery
Fast-forward to today: In December 2024, the Museum celebrated the unveiling of its transformation. Featuring completely reimagined exhibits and a modernized façade, the transformed Museum unites its content and mission with our region’s geological history. Today, the Museum encompasses more than 375,000 square feet and over 2 acres of outdoor visitor areas.
Now more than ever, the Museum is equipped to meet the ever-changing needs of our community and the planet. The transformation project reimagined our facilities for the next generation of explorers—with interactive exhibits, immersive experiences, and a sustainable design that reflects the natural world we study.
From its beginnings to today, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History has advanced its mission to inspire, through science and education, a passion for nature, the protection of natural diversity, the fostering of health, and leadership to a sustainable future. Join us on this journey of past, present, and future—and visit us to see how far we’ve come!
