CLEVELAND—December 1, 2022—The Cleveland Museum of Natural History continues to evolve into a transformed museum, slated for completion in 2024, while staying open through every step in the process. With the next phase in the Museum’s transformation beginning in December, visitors are invited to explore new and reimagined spaces and exhibits. The reopening of Smead Discovery Center—Presented by PNC and the Nathan and Fannye Shafran Planetarium will offer a preview of the engaging experiences that visitors will enjoy in the transformed Museum. In December, the Museum will also unveil installations of celebrated works of art, as well as temporary exhibits that include a virtual-reality experience and a close-up look at the world’s smallest species.
“As we enter the middle stage of our construction project—in geological terms it’s the Mesozoic Era—there is much work to be done, but also a great deal that has already been accomplished,” said Sonia Winner, the Museum’s President & CEO. “Through the transformation and expansion of the Museum, we are pioneering new ways for visitors to experience our irreplaceable collections, the groundbreaking work of world-renowned scientists, and dynamic educational programs that inspire awe and encourage curiosity. There are great new things to experience at the Museum this fall, and the best is yet to come.”
New and Reimagined Permanent Areas Are Opening to the Public in December
As a result of the current transformation and expansion of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, the Museum will be closed to the public on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. The Museum is excited to celebrate this milestone with the community by offering free admission for all on Wednesday, December 7. When the Museum reopens to the public at 10am on Wednesday, December 7, visitors will have the opportunity to experience the following new and reimagined spaces:
Smead Discovery Center—Presented by PNC
The reimagined Smead Discovery Center—Presented by PNC will continue to encourage hands-on learning for children through the addition of even more interactive experiences. Located on the Museum’s lower level, this intergenerational space has been completely redesigned, with an emphasis on accessible opportunities for all styles of learners. Guests of all ages will enjoy the wonders of science and nature together as they dig for dinosaurs, take an up-close look at Museum specimens, design their own constellations, and more. The new facility will focus on serving young children ages 7 and under, including babies and toddlers, by encouraging discovery and observation through play. Museum educators will deliver newly designed programming built around rotating themes. Featuring hands-on activity stations, these programs will engage young learners in the natural sciences and leave them inspired by a world of infinite possibility.
3-D Movies for the First Time Ever in Murch Auditorium
The recently updated Murch Auditorium will now feature 3-D movies through a partnership with D3D Cinema, a creator of immersive cinema and VR experiences and experiential storytelling through first-to-market technology. The auditorium’s inaugural Cinefolio films will be:
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Superpower Dogs, an immersive adventure featuring the inspiring bravery of some of the world’s most amazing dogs, including Halo, a puppy training to join one of the most elite disaster-response teams in America; Henry, an avalanche-rescue expert in the mountains of British Columbia; Reef, a Newfoundland lifeguard with the Italian coastguard; Ricochet, a Californian surf legend helping people with special needs; and Tipper and Tony, bloodhound brothers leading the fight to save endangered species in Africa. Discover the extraordinary abilities of dogs and the remarkable science behind their superpowers and you’ll never look at our best friends the same way again! Narrated by actor Chris Evans.
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Dinosaurs Alive!, a global journey that brings to life creatures from the Triassic to the Cretaceous Period as paleontologists search for clues buried in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert and Ghost Ranch, New Mexico, and uncover fossilized evidence that dinosaur descendants may still walk (or fly) among us. Narrated by actor Michael Douglas.
Nathan and Fannye Shafran Planetarium
The world-class Nathan and Fannye Shafran Planetarium is reopening, complete with a software upgrade to Digistar 7 and new seating that allows for more customized and creative configurations. The Museum's astronomy team is eager to share the wonders of the night sky through the planetarium’s newest program, Unfolding the Universe, which highlights NASA’s latest engineering marvel—the James Webb Space Telescope. This immersive journey through space and time will allow guests to explore the earliest eras of the Universe, witness galaxies in the midst of titanic collisions, peer deep into majestic stellar nurseries, and continue the search for life beyond our Solar System—all while viewing the telescope’s latest images in unprecedented detail. It’s included with general admission and guaranteed to be out of this world.
An Exhibit Space Focused on Art and Nature
Corning Gallery, a new home for rotating exhibits that highlight the intersection of art and nature, will host its first installations—the Museum’s bound first-edition set of 19th-century artist and naturalist John James Audubon’s Birds of America and the Museum’s set of Pop Art icon Andy Warhol’s Endangered Species, a portfolio of 10 vibrant screenprints featuring animals at risk of extinction, including an African elephant, black rhinoceros, and orangutan. This set was donated to the Museum by Robert S. and Sylvia K. Reitman.
Enhanced Educational Spaces
The newly created Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Community Space will serve as the main lobby of the Museum’s expanded Education Wing, which will feature an enhanced, flexible multipurpose space, classrooms, and a lab—all with state-of-the-art technology.
Origins Café
A new Wade Oval Entrance with a welcoming patio will invite guests into the Museum while linking the Museum to Wade Oval and neighboring cultural institutions. The entrance will provide access to a new on-site year-round café, featuring indoor and outdoor seating and a refreshed menu that will continue to grow as construction advances. In a new strategic partnership, Levy, the critically acclaimed hospitality company, will be responsible for creating all dining experiences for Origins Café, opening to the public on Wednesday, December 7. As the Museum’s new hospitality partner, Levy will craft incredible food and beverage experiences across the Museum, including the café, as well as cater for special occasions, such as corporate events, private celebrations, and weddings. A partnership with Levy aligns closely with the mission, vision, and values of the Museum through their efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle; partner with local growers for produce and meats; use eco-friendly serving ware; support local food-pantry partners; offer vegetarian-friendly menus; and provide fresh, healthy options for every dining experience.
Two Exciting Temporary Exhibits Arrive at the Museum
Take Flight With the Help of Virtual Reality
Birdly, a full-body, immersive virtual-reality flight-simulator experience, will allow guests to soar among winged wildlife—from pterosaurs to butterflies—through a synthesis of haptic engineering, robotics, game design, and biomechanics. The virtual-reality units and their programs are the creation of D3D Cinema. Beginning this December, the Museum will feature two exhilarating experiences:
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Jurassic Flight will invite guests to embody a Kepodactylus, a pterosaur, and soar among dinosaurs roaming the Earth during the Jurassic Period. Created in consultation with paleontologists, scientific researchers, and museum directors, the experience recreates a Jurassic world that will allow guests to explore the flora, fauna, and—above all—the dinosaurs existing 150 million years ago.
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The Museum will host the North American premiere of Butterfly. This virtual-reality experience will allow participants to take flight as a butterfly and explore a living ecosystem filled with highly detailed plants, insects, birds, reptiles, snails, and mammals—discovering aspects of our world usually hidden from human eyes. UV-Vision will enable guests to see hidden patterns on the plants and animals while Smell-O-Vision will allow them to discover hidden insects by their pheromone trails.
See the World’s Smallest Species
From the personal collection of Ryan “The Bug Man” Bridge, the exhibit Amazing Insects will feature hundreds of insects from around the world. In addition to donating insects to museums and universities, Bridge has presented his collection through various exhibits across the country, sharing his passion for and knowledge of everything insect-related with audiences of all ages and interests. The primary mission of Ryan The BugMan LLC is the development of insect-focused educational programs for events, schools, museums, and libraries.
Unaffected Programs and Installations
Throughout the Museum’s transformation, members and guests will still be welcomed by Steggie, the 18-foot-long, 8-foot-tall Stegosaurus sculpture, and can continue to enjoy presentations by scientists and other guests, the Thelma and Kent H. Smith Environmental Courtyard, the Museum’s three publicly accessible natural areas, and the live animals in the Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden—Presented by KeyBank.
Additionally, the Museum will continue to offer events and educational outreach, both on site and in the community, including:
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Regular guided hikes through areas of the 12,000 acres of nature preserves that the Museum protects and stewards across Northeast Ohio.
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Extended hours of operation on selected Fridays this fall. December 2, 9, and 16, the Museum will keep the lights on and welcome guests until 8pm. Each Friday evening will feature special programming, including Current Science presentations, gallery talks, up-close looks at the Museum’s animals, and in-depth conversations with curators and special guests. Programming for Friday-night hours will be promoted each week on the Museum’s website (CMNH.org) and social-media platforms.
New Ticketing Policy
As of Wednesday, December 7, all visitors must reserve their tickets before they arrive at the Museum. Advance tickets are available for members to reserve and nonmembers to purchase online at CMNH.org/visit or by phone at 216.231.4600.
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; special members-only events; and discounts on parking, store purchases, and programming. 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 a 10% store discount. Most memberships are 100% tax deductible.
Pardon Our Dust
As a result of the current transformation and expansion of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, some of the Museum’s attractions will temporarily be taken off exhibit. When they return, they will be showcased in new ways and new locations—in a transformed museum unlike any other. Guests are encouraged to check the Museum’s website for updated information regarding exhibits at CMNH.org/visit/know-before-you-go.
Additionally, “Dippy,” a cast of Diplodocus carnegii, a massive, 79-foot-long sauropod dinosaur that completed its stay at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History on Sunday, November 27.
Beginning Wednesday, December 7, the entrance to the Museum that is located in the parking garage will be closed. While the Museum garage will remain open, guests will need to enter the Museum through the new Wade Oval entrance. Shuttle service between the garage and the Wade Oval entrance will be provided during Museum hours.
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 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. 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 admission tickets for $1 per ticket for up to four tickets by presenting their SNAP EBT (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Electronic Benefit Transfer) card.
About the Cleveland Museum of Natural History Transformation Project
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History broke ground in June 2021 on a $150 million transformation project, which features an expansion, a complete reimagining of its campus and all its exhibits, and the addition of new public spaces. Pioneering a new model for natural history museums, this bold reinvention 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. The transformed space will reflect the Museum’s world-class assets while serving as a trusted community resource that prioritizes accessibility and engagement. The Transforming the World of Discovery campaign has raised more than $121 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 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.
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