The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is proud to announce the grand opening of one of its three gateway transformation projects—the new permanent gallery, Current Science. Two additional gateway projects—the renovation of the Thelma and Kent H. Smith Environmental Courtyard and Murch Auditorium—will open shortly thereafter. As these projects wrap up, the Museum is well on its way to achieving a complete transformation of its physical campus.
The completion of the gateway projects marks a significant milestone in the Transforming the World of DiscoveryCampaign. The results of the first phase of construction were unveiled in 2016 with the newly renovated Ralph Perkins II Wildlife Center & Woods Garden—Presented by KeyBank, the addition of a parking garage, and the installation of the Larry Sears and Sally Zlotnick Sears Garden, which features the iconic Schreckengost Mammoth and Mastodon sculptures.
The latest progress keeps the momentum strong as the Museum embarks on the next phase of construction. Behind the scenes, the Museum is updating its labs and repositories to better accommodate the Museum’s research needs and extensive collections. The footprint of the Museum will also grow with the addition of a brand-new exhibit wing and entrance hall.
DLR | Westlake Reed Leskosky will continue to bring the Museum’s vision to life as the architectural experts on the project. Renowned gallery design group Gallagher & Associates will also work with the Museum to ensure these spaces address the needs of the organization and community alike.
“For many years, the Museum has dreamed of a new facility that would transform the visitor experience and enable us to have a building that showcases our incredible content, scientific expertise, living collections, and programming,” says Sonia Winner, the Museum’s President & CEO. “Once this project is completed, our campus in University Circle will tell a story that will reach beyond our walls—into our community—and spur conversations that inspire the betterment of the natural world.”
The Museum’s goal for the project is to serve Cleveland’s community of learners—and people around the globe—by uniting scientific concepts to paint the full picture of life on Earth, shedding new light on the interdependence of humans and nature, and connecting individuals to the natural world.
“Our vision to create lasting connections with the public through education and our enduring legacy in conservation efforts are what make the Cleveland Museum of Natural History a world leader among natural history museums,” says Winner.
The gateway projects were completed with the help of generous gifts from the Museum’s donors, which include The Kent H. Smith Charitable Trust, Lubrizol Foundation, Anonymous (2), Sally and Larry Sears, The Murch Foundation, and the Murch family.
ABOUT THE GATEWAY PROJECTS
Current Science Permanent Gallery
The Museum’s Current Science gallery will be a dynamic, ever-changing space that allows on-staff curators and researchers to highlight the latest “buzz” from the science world. Exhibits will offer guests a way to see their place in the natural world while establishing links between the news of the day and the Museum’s research and collections. This integrated visitor experience will provide opportunities for interaction and one-on-one conversations with Museum researchers and educators.
With features designed to be flexible, such as new display cases and interactive screens, Current Science will operate on a six-month thematic rotation. The space will serve as an incubator for testing new concepts that resonate the most with the community. These themes and concepts will speak to the Museum’s cutting-edge work in many different STEM fields, including conservation, human health and evolution, and others. Portable work stations with integrated technology will allow Museum scientists to demonstrate their work while sharing the impact of their research on the modern world.
Murch Auditorium
For decades, Murch Auditorium has been integral to the visitor experience at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. The space has accommodated a number of memorable events, including lecture series featuring world-renowned experts and explorers and fun, educational programs for audiences of all ages.
The newly renovated auditorium includes germ-resistant upholstered seating, increased handicap accessibility, sound-locked entryways, and an attractive wall of glass that will provide passersby with a glimpse of the activities happening inside. The modernized space will foster more engaging experiences with acoustic upgrades and state-of-the-art audiovisual systems. Visitors will now gather in a progressive environment where Museum researchers and guest lecturers have all the resources needed to share their pivotal work with audiences.
Thelma and Kent H. Smith Environmental Courtyard
The redesigned Thelma and Kent H. Smith Environmental Courtyard will become a destination for outdoor exploration and discovery. The courtyard serves three main purposes: it offers guests a place of respite, an area to host private events, and a space where architectural features present opportunities to learn about the Museum’s conservation work in Ohio’s natural areas.
The stunning new space was designed with education in mind. A trailhead patio and paths will display Ohio’s native plant species. A waterfall feature—inspired by the geology of natural waterfalls in the Cleveland region—is made of local Berea sandstone. Nearby, a watershed court made of etched bluestone paving features a map of the local watershed. Museum researchers and educators will give presentations and lead discussions in the court, which can accommodate up to 200 guests as they enjoy our state’s extraordinary biodiversity.