Press Room

Museum Unveils New Visitor Hall

Iconic Attractions Return in a New, Dramatic Setting

CLEVELAND—October 13, 2023—The Cleveland Museum of Natural History continues to evolve into a transformed museum, scheduled to be completed in 2024. With the next step in the Museum’s current transformation and expansion, its most iconic attractions and visitor favorites—including Balto, Dunk, Happy, Lucy, and the Moon rock—are returning to exhibit in October. They will now be featured in the Visitor Hall, a dramatic setting that will be free to the public and serve as the heart of the reimagined Museum.

The 14,650-square-foot Visitor Hall features ceilings that soar to 21 feet and specimens placed along a timeline that reflects milestones in the history of the Universe. The timeline is generously funded by Cleveland Museum of Natural History Board member Doug McCreery and his wife, Dr. Laurie McCreery.

According to Cleveland Museum of Natural History President & CEO Sonia Winner, “The Museum has always been a valuable resource to our city, our region, and the world. We are excited to celebrate the return of our Museum’s most beloved specimens in a community space that is free to all visitors. This is an exciting milestone in our transformation that has been in the making for 20 years. We now have a little more than a year until we unveil the Museum’s new wings and completely reimagined exhibits that will put our guests at the center of the experience. The best is yet to come!” 

Special Days Mark the Debut of the Visitor Hall  

  • Saturday, October 14, 11am–3pm is reserved for an exclusive preview for Museum members. 
  • On Sunday, October 15, the new Visitor Hall will open to the public for the first time. 
  • The Museum will stay open one hour later than usual—10am–6pm (regular Museum hours are 10am–5pm).  
  • Every Sunday, residents of Cleveland and East Cleveland are invited to visit all areas of the Museum free of charge during the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Community Days. Additionally, a generous sponsorship from Nordson will make the day free for all other guests.   

Returning Icons Showcased in a New Way  

  • The Museum's iconic sauropod, Haplocanthosaurus delfsi, affectionately known as "Happy,” is elegantly featured in the Museum’s logo. Created in 1972 by the locally based industrial-design firm Nottingham Spirk, the logo has since become one of the most recognizable in Cleveland. A holotype specimen for the species H. delfsi, Happy was discovered by a Museum team in 1954 in Red Canyon, Colorado, and is the only known adult specimen of its kind that is complete enough to display in its entirety. Though Happy was originally mounted with its tail touching the floor, Happy has been remounted by Research Casting International, a paleontological conservator in Ontario, Canada, to reflect recent research indicating that dinosaurs were more likely to hold their tails above the ground. 
  • "Lucy," the world-famous, 3.2-million-year-old partial fossil skeleton of the species Australopithecus afarensis, was discovered in Ethiopia in 1974 by Dr. Donald Johanson, a former curator at the Museum.  
  • "Dunk," or Dunkleosteus terrelli, a giant armored fish, was the largest predator and one of the fiercest creatures alive 360 million years ago, during the Devonian Period. In 2020, the Ohio General Assembly passed a bill declaring Dunkleosteus terrelli the state fossil fish.  
  • Balto was the lead sled dog on the last leg of a 1925 dogsled relay that covered 674 miles to deliver lifesaving medicine to Nome, Alaska, during a diphtheria outbreak. Balto joined the Museum’s collection in 1933. While recently off exhibit, he underwent restoration to bring his coat back to its original color. This new showcase for Balto is sponsored by The Milton and Tamar Maltz Family Foundation.   
  • The Museum’s iconic Moon rock is on long-term loan from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). 
  • A captivating model of a bald eagle serves as an important reminder of the role the Museum has played in the protection of native Ohio species. In the mid-1970s, the Museum pioneered a bald eagle breeding program that provided a model for similar captive-breeding initiatives around the country. The Museum acquired four bald eagles for the program, all of which had suffered debilitating injuries and could not be returned to the wild. The only female bird, Martha, laid her first fertile egg in 1984. Martha’s healthy eaglet was placed in a wild Ohio nest and eagerly adopted by adult birds. Revolutionary for its time, the Museum's bald eagle breeding program was one of only six in the country, and Martha’s eaglet proved it was possible to restore populations of endangered species through captive breeding and release. Today, bald eagles—once a threatened species—are flourishing in Ohio and across the nation. 
  • A dramatic window of butterflies reminds guests of the beauty of nature and the Museum’s important invertebrate zoology collection, which houses approximately 1 million specimens—most of which are from the northeastern United States and were collected beginning in the early 1900s. The collection represents a critical record of the biodiversity of the region.
  • Specimens from the Jeptha Homer Wade II Collection of Gems & Jewels represent the Museum’s mineralogy assets. This historical collection of faceted gemstones from around the world was owned by Jeptha Homer Wade II, grandson of the noted Cleveland industrialist and benefactor. One of the finest collections of gem materials in North America, it includes specimens such as a jade necklace, Mississippi River pearls, opals, and colored diamonds. 

The Museum's redesigned exhibits, developed by G&A (Gallagher & Associates) in tandem with the Museum’s curatorial, collections, and education teams, will take a new approach to presenting natural history. Avoiding traditional compartmentalization by time period, geography, and types of living things, the exhibits will tell integrated stories of planetary and biological processes—and make these powerful forces relevant to contemporary life.

The Museum has entrusted the realization of its transformation to Panzica Construction and integrated design firm DLR Group. DLR Group’s visionary work will include several phases of renovation and an addition that will enhance the Museum's exhibit, education, and gathering spaces. New, renovated, and reorganized exhibit spaces will expand programming and reimagine the presentation of the Museum’s world-renowned collections. Inspired by the Museum’s commitment to sustainability and its relationship with surrounding bodies of water, the design will create a single, continuous form that ties together current and previous additions. DLR Group provides architecture, interiors, structural engineering, MEP engineering, lighting design, acoustical design, and technology design services.

“DLR Group is honored to be partnering with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History on this multiphase transformation,” said DLR Group Principal and Global Architecture Leader Joshua Haney, AIA. “The Visitor Hall acts as a welcoming and inclusive haven for Museum visitors to step in and discover captivating exhibits and interactive opportunities that broaden their understanding of the natural world both within and beyond the city of Cleveland.”

This multiphase transformation project builds upon the firm's decades-long relationship with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, dating to 1955. The reimagining of the Museum includes upgrades to collections and exhibit areas, research spaces, offices, and classrooms; reorganization of all public galleries; and consolidation of all collection storage. The project is targeted for a Silver LEED certification, with the potential for a Gold LEED certification. 
 
Along with the opening of the Visitor Hall, the Museum is excited to announce the following programming and exhibit premières:  

  • Flight of the Butterflies follows the monarch butterfly on the Earth’s longest migration—a journey that spans an entire continent. This perilous and compelling adventure is presented in 3D by an award-winning team that includes Oscar®-winner Peter Parks.
  • Titanosaur 3D focuses on the majesty and magnificence of the largest animal ever to walk the Earth. Through a journey to the Southern Hemisphere during the Late Cretaceous Period, audiences are invited to explore the environment and life history of the world’s most colossal plant-eater—from egg to towering titan. The film also explores the process by which scientists gather clues to understand and imagine these gargantuan reptiles—revealing the secrets of their diet, anatomy, remarkable growth, and even their behavior—as vivid and scientifically accurate computer animation brings the prehistoric world of the titanosaur back to life.
  • Debuting on the day of the 2023 annular solar eclipse, Eclipse Fever is a new show in the world-class Nathan and Fannye Shafran Planetarium that will run from Saturday, October 14, through Sunday, January 14. A total solar eclipse is a rare and life-changing event that occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and our home planet. On April 8, 2024, the city of Cleveland will lie within the path of totality, something that only occurs in a given location about once every 375 years. At totality, the Moon completely obscures the Sun’s visible surface, creating a surreal and beautiful sight for those within the Moon’s shadow. In this live presentation, Museum astronomers explore the geometry of eclipses and discuss the proper techniques for observing an eclipse safely in preparation for one of nature’s grandest spectacles. It will be an event for the ages!
  • Nesting: Images by Judith McMillan explores birds nests as architecture, revealing the distinct materials used by individual species of birds and the complexity of forms achieved using just a beak and feet. At the same time, the photographs investigate the mind of the collector, who is driven to possess, preserve, and record what the bird achieved. McMillan is an American artist and a member of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History's Board of Directors.

Community Spaces in the Museum  

  • The Visitor Hall is a free-of-charge community space.   
  • Origins Café is the Museum's on-site, year-round café managed by Levy, an acclaimed hospitality company.   
  • The Leonard Krieger Fund Café Terrace features indoor and outdoor seating that overlooks University Circle.  
  • The new Museum Store opened in June.   
  • Steggie, the 18-foot-long, 8-foot-tall Stegosaurus sculpture, continues to be a fixture on the front lawn of the Museum.    

During this phase in the Museum's transformation, general admission, at the current reduced cost, will give guests access to:  

  • The reimagined Smead Discovery Center—Presented by PNC, which encourages hands-on learning for children through interactive, accessible experiences
  • Live astronomy presentations in the world-class Nathan and Fannye Shafran Planetarium, complete with Digistar 7 software and new seating
  • 3D movies from D3D Cinema, a creator of immersive cinema and VR experiences and experiential storytelling through first-to-market technology; showing regularly in the Museum’s Murch Auditorium
  • Birdly, a full-body, immersive virtual-reality flight-simulator experience ($5 per ride)
  • Thelma and Kent H. Smith Environmental Courtyard
  • The Museum’s animal ambassadors, who visit the Museum floor with Education staff and live in the Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden—Presented by KeyBank 
  • Corning Gallery, a new home for rotating exhibits that highlight the intersection of art and nature

Ticketing Information

While general admission is included in all Museum memberships, our current reduced admission rates recognize the work that remains to be completed over the next year: $10 for adults, and $7 for seniors (60+) and youth (3–18). Children 2 and younger are free. With the opening of the Visitor Hall, guests are no longer required to order tickets in advance; however, reserving tickets in advance remains the best way to experience the Museum.

Current Membership Discount 

To thank the community for its continued support during the Museum’s transformation, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History is currently offering a $50 discount on its Pack-level membership. Members enjoy free daily general admission to the Museum; guest passes; special members-only experiences; and discounts on parking and store purchases. Additionally, the Pack membership comes with access to more than 1,500 reciprocal institutions through the ASTC, NARM, and ROAM programs, with all participating institutions offering free admission to members, as well as store discounts. Most memberships are 100% tax deductible.

Every Space Is an Event Space 

Whether visitors are looking forward to spending time with family, friends, coworkers, or clients, the new and reimagined spaces at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History are designed to accommodate the ultimate special-event experience. With day and evening private-event options, guests are invited to sip cocktails alongside the Museum's most iconic attractions, dine among the works of art in Corning Gallery, deliver presentations in Murch Auditorium, hold breakout sessions in state-of-the-art classrooms, and include the planetarium in their party plans.

Ensuring Access for All 

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is a place for the community to gather, learn, and find inspiration. Every Sunday, residents of Cleveland and East Cleveland are invited to visit the Museum free of charge during the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Community Days, an opportunity made possible through a generous grant from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation. Proof of residency is required for all guests who visit the Museum as part of the Mandel Community Days initiative.   

Additionally, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History is a proud participant in the nationwide Museums for All initiative, sponsored locally by Paul Lincoln and Kathy Toderick, through which guests can purchase up to four admission tickets for $1 per ticket by presenting their SNAP EBT (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Electronic Benefit Transfer) card.

About G&A (Gallagher & Associates)

G&A (Gallagher & Associates) is an internationally recognized experiential design and strategy firm. With interdisciplinary studios in Washington, D.C., New York City, and Portland, G&A brings a highly regarded collaborative style, design excellence, and unparalleled service to clients around the world. The firm’s projects have been recognized repeatedly for ingenuity, creativity, and immersive storytelling. For more information, visit gallagherdesign.com.

About DLR Group

DLR Group is an integrated design firm delivering architecture, engineering, interiors, planning, and building optimization for new construction, renovation, and adaptive reuse. Our promise is to elevate the human experience through design. This promise inspires sustainable design for a diverse group of public and private sector clients, local communities, and our planet. DLR Group is 100 percent employee-owned and fully supports the initiatives and goals of the 2030 Challenge and is an initial signatory to the China Accord and the AIA 2030 Commitment.

About the Cleveland Museum of Natural History Transformation Project

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History opened part of its transformed campus in December 2022, introducing a new Wade Oval Entrance, modernized Education Wing, and updated galleries. This opening is the latest milestone in the Museum’s $150 million transformation project, which features a LEED-certified expansion, a complete reimagining of the Museum campus and all its exhibits, and the addition of new public spaces.

Pioneering a new model for natural history museums, the redesigned exhibits will place visitors at the center of the Museum experience—allowing them to better understand their connection with the natural world and the relevance of science to their daily lives. Slated for completion in late 2024, the transformation will showcase the Museum’s world-class assets while reflecting its role as a trusted resource that prioritizes engagement and responsiveness to its community.

The Transforming the World of Discovery campaign has raised more than $130 million for this project, which will expand the Museum's building and outdoor visitor areas to more than 375,000 square feet. The Museum appreciates the generous support from community members, corporations, foundations, and government grants that has helped to make this transformation a reality.

About the Cleveland Museum of Natural History 

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History illuminates the world around us and inspires visitors to engage with the natural forces that shape their lives. Since its founding in 1920, the Museum has pioneered scientific research to advance knowledge across diverse fields of study and used its outstanding collections, which encompass more than 5 million artifacts and specimens, to deepen the public’s understanding of the dynamic connections between humans and nature. Through its Natural Areas Program, the Museum stewards more than 12,000 acres of protected ecosystems across northern Ohio. A community gathering place, educational center, and research institution, the Museum is a vital resource that serves Cleveland and the nation. For more information, visit CMNH.org.

Media Contacts

Samantha Guenther
External Communications Manager
Office: 216.231.4600 x3432
Mobile: 216.403.4557
sguenther@cmnh.org

Sandra Stafford
SPQR Inc.
216.509.3973
sandra0428@hotmail.com