For 100 years, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History has been recognized as one of the finest natural history museums in North America. The Museum is the largest museum in Ohio dedicated to the natural sciences, hosting more than 375,000 total visitors and 13,000 member households throughout the year. The Museum’s collections encompass approximately 5 million specimens, while its
Natural Areas Program protects more than 12,000 acres of natural habitats in Northeast Ohio. Each preserve harbors at least one unique natural community, including hardwood forest, Lake Erie island, fossil dune ridge, marsh, swamp, and glacial wetland. Together, these areas represent the remarkable biological diversity that was once widespread throughout the region, and now serve as educational and scientific resources.
On-staff curators conduct research in 11 scientific disciplines, publishing findings in peer-reviewed journals. Their work has both local and global significance, serving to enrich the Museum’s educational programs and advance its mission. The Museum is also a proud member of the Northeastern Ohio Intermuseum Council. This organization has more than 140 institutional members in Cuyahoga and six adjacent Ohio counties, with the purpose of supporting research and the preservation of art, culture, history, and nature in the region
We believe that discovery starts with you! Explore our exhibits,
meet our wildlife ambassadors, take a hike, join a class—all while creating meaningful memories.
Our mission
To inspire, through science and education, a passion for nature, the protection of natural diversity, the fostering of health, and leadership to a sustainable future.
Our vision
To explore, engage, and empower for a better tomorrow.
Our plans for the future
The Museum is currently in the midst of a transformation. Learn more about how we are pioneering a new model for natural history museums through an expansion, complete reinstallation of our exhibits, and development of new public spaces. Explore our new strategic plan that will guide us in these efforts, and learn more about how you can support our Transforming the World of Discovery campaign.
Northeast Ohio Intermuseum Council
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is a proud member of the Northeast Ohio Intermuseum Council. Since 1942, this organization has served more than 130 institutions in Cuyahoga County and six adjacent counties, bringing together leaders from organizations large and small to better support all member institutions in their missions to serve the Northeast Ohio community and to envision a vibrant future for the preservation of art, culture, history, and nature in our region.
Click here to find out more about the Northeast Ohio Intermuseum Council.
Our diversity, equity, inclusion & accessibility statement
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is committed to a “one community” mindset whereby we actively foster a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment; respect those of all backgrounds and at all levels of our organization; and strive to be present for one another, honor each other’s stories, and pursue collaborative action always.
Objectives:
· Diversify our workforce, volunteers, and Board of Directors.
· Embrace all cultural learning opportunities.
· Approach this work as one community with transparency and sincerity.
Land Acknowledgment
We acknowledge and recognize the unique assets of our Museum, ranging from the land our building sits atop, to the natural areas that we own and steward in the Northeast Ohio region, to the archaeological dig sites that our staff visit across the United States and beyond. It is our intent to preserve the land and scientific collections that are our responsibility for future generations, to steward them to the best of our ability, and to promote respect and appreciation for and understanding of the natural world and our history. It is with this intent that we begin to acknowledge that the lands we utilize, steward, and visit were once the lands of all Indigenous People.
We honor the original stewards of the land that we now call northern Ohio, including the Cayuga, Delaware, Miami, Odawa, Ojibwe, Potawatomi, Seneca, Shawnee, and Wyandotte, as well as the unnamed tribes who resided here for 13 millennia and the tribal members who currently reside in Northeast Ohio.
Natural history is the story of life and its many processes. As a science-based institution, we will continue to evolve our policies. We remain committed to following appropriate laws and guidelines as part of our mission to share a passion for nature and science with our community of learning.
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is respectful of all peoples and will use this acknowledgment in appropriate settings. We will continue to listen and to learn.