Project to Reinvent the Museum Begins
CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY CELEBRATES GROUNDBREAKING OF ITS MAJOR EXPANSION AND TRANSFORMATION
Transforming the World of Discovery capital campaign reaches $100 million milestone
Sally Sears named Chair-Elect of the Board of Directors
Cleveland, OH—June 24, 2021—The Cleveland Museum of Natural History broke ground today on its project to reinvent the Museum: an expansion, complete reimagining of its campus and all its exhibits, and addition of new public spaces. The project will enlarge the Museum's building and outdoor visitor areas to more than 375,000 square feet. During the groundbreaking, the Museum announced it has surpassed a $100 million fundraising milestone in its $150 million
Transforming the World of Discovery capital campaign. At the ceremony, Sally Sears, who has been an active Board member since 2014 and campaign co-chair, was named Chair-Elect of the Board of Directors.
“We are thrilled to break ground on the reimagining of the Museum while also celebrating reaching the $100 million milestone in our campaign, thanks to the generosity of many donors,” said Sonia Winner, the Museum’s President & CEO. “Together, we are creating a new model for how natural history museums can illuminate the ways in which we—and all living things—are connected. And, as we look ahead to our bright future, we are so grateful to have Sally’s leadership as our new Board Chair.”
The transformation of the Museum is underpinned by a vision to promote scientific literacy and empower individuals to be a voice for the planet in their communities.
“By placing visitors at the center of the experience, our reimagined Museum will be even more accessible and relevant,” said Sears. “I have never been as excited as I am today about the Museum’s future, and look forward to helping bring our vision to reality as Chair of the Board of Directors.”
Jonathon Grimm, the Board’s Chair since 2015, said, “Sally embodies the Museum’s values through and through. She has dedicated countless hours to the Museum’s success, and her genuine passion for lifelong learning makes her the perfect person to lead the Museum into its next phase.”
Sally Sears will succeed Grimm when his term ends in September. Grimm joined the Board in 2000 and served as Chair for two terms.
“Jon’s Board leadership over the last six years was so important, providing the foundation for transforming the Museum’s physical presence and its educational mission,” said James Hambrick, Vice Chair of the Museum’s Board of Directors. “It has been an honor to serve with and for him.”
The groundbreaking celebration featured remarks from Sonia Winner; Jonathon Grimm; Sally Sears; Brian Redmond, Ph.D., the John Otis Hower Chair and Curator of Archaeology; Nicole Gunter, Ph.D., Associate Curator of Invertebrate Zoology; and Chris Ronayne, president of University Circle Inc.
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History has been inspiring a passion for science and nature in its visitors for more than 100 years. It ranks among the top 10 natural history museums in the United States in terms of endowment, size of collection, and attendance, and is recognized for its exhibits, collections, research, and educational programs. Its collections encompass millions of artifacts and specimens, and research of global significance focuses on 11 natural science disciplines. The Museum conserves biological diversity through the protection of more than 11,000 acres of natural areas. It promotes science and health education through local programs and distance learning that extends across the globe.
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