The museum holds the Baldwin Bird Collection, one of the most comprehensive assemblages of North American bird specimens.
It is home to the 'Balto' taxidermy, the famous sled dog who helped deliver life-saving diphtheria antitoxin to Nome, Alaska, in 1925.
The museum's research department focuses heavily on human evolution, leveraging one of the most significant collections of hominid fossils globally.
It houses a comprehensive collection of Devonian-era placoderm fish fossils, largely recovered from the Cleveland Shale.
The institution operates the Mather Gallery, which uses interactive touch-screen technology to allow visitors to 'dig' for virtual fossils.
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, located in University Circle, serves as a premier institution for scientific research and education. The museum houses a significant collection of prehistoric specimens, including the world-famous 'Lucy' (Australopithecus afarensis) cast. Its state-of-the-art Nathan and Fannye Shafran Planetarium offers immersive astronomical programming using digital projection technology. The museum recently completed a multi-year transformation project, featuring a new public wing and integrated outdoor spaces. Exhibits span paleontology, archaeology, zoology, and local Ohio ecology. Visitors can engage with live animal exhibits and interactive displays detailing the geological history of the Great Lakes region. The facility acts as a hub for regional biodiversity studies and conservation efforts.
The rotunda in the new wing provides a striking architectural backdrop with expansive views of the surrounding Wade Oval area.
Prioritize the planetarium shows by checking the daily schedule immediately upon entry, as these require timed reservations.
Explore the outdoor 'Origins' exhibits to understand the landscape history of Northeast Ohio.
Check the museum's digital calendar for research-led lectures, which occur frequently during the academic year.
Do not attempt to see every single exhibit in one visit; the expansive permanent collection and temporary exhibitions often require multiple trips.
Closed on Mondays.
