Cleveland Museum of Natural History

It's official! 🎉 This month, the Museum hosted a special chairing ceremony—its first in 21 years—recognizing Associate Curator Dr. Emma Finestone as the Museum's inaugural Robert J. and Linnet E. Fritz Endowed Chair of Human Origins. In addition to providing an important source of funding, an endowed chair serves as an acknowledgment of Dr. Finestone’s commitment to her field, the community, and the advancement of knowledge. Her research uses archaeological fieldwork to investigate adaptive shifts in the human lineage that relate to the early manufacture and use of stone tools. Congratulations, Dr. Finestone! This generous gift from Robert “Bob” and Linnet Fritz not only supports this endowed position, but the Museum's transformation campaign, and our iconic exhibit of Lucy. To learn more: https://lnkd.in/evH5nkBc

From education and research to the preservation of Ohio natural areas, if you ❤️ all aspects of the Museum, consider making a donation to the Annual Fund! This fiscal year, we have: 🖍 Engaged 30,297 students through in-person and virtual experiences 🦖 Engaged 99,290 visitors through public outreach and Museum trips The Museum's current fiscal year comes to an end this Sunday, June 30, and donations of any amount make a difference in our mission. Learn more and make your donation online at give.cmnh.org.

A heartfelt congratulations to Museum astronomer, Destiny Thomas! Destiny was recently named one of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. Greater Cleveland Chapter's She Leads 100 Honorees for 2024. This award celebrates outstanding Black women innovators and their significant contributions that inspire the next generation of leaders—something that is a daily occurrence for Destiny. As an educator on the Museum’s Astronomy Team, Destiny has served more than 4,000 individuals through school programs, public-facing presentations, Museum tours, seasonal camps and community events. She earned her B.A. in physics and astronomy with a minor concentration in philosophy from Emory University. Last year, she was featured as one of Crain’s 20 in their 20’s, and can now add NC100BW’s 2024 Education-STEAM “She Leads” award to her list of well-deserved accolades. Congratulations, Destiny!

Happy anniversary to us! 🎉 When the Cleveland Museum of Natural History was first founded in 1920, it opened in a small room in a business office at the old Lennox Building at Euclid Avenue and 9th street. But in 1922, the Museum moved to a new location—the former Leonard Hanna house at 2717 Euclid Avenue (pictured here). In this new location, the Museum was able to present its first exhibit featuring the A.C. Ernst Collection of moths and butterflies. And on June 24, 1922, the public was invited to explore Cleveland's newest museum for the first time! This move was a pivotal moment as the Museum furthered its ambition to become an agency for the diffusion of knowledge, as its founders envisioned. The Museum later moved to its current location at Wade Oval Drive in 1958, and since its founding, the Museum has continued to evolve and expand in numerous ways—but this anniversary is an amazing reminder of how far we have come.

What a wonderful afternoon spent with Crain's Cleveland Business 2024 #WomenofNote! It was an honor to recognize these leaders for their outstanding work, vision, and impact on the community. This year's class truly represents the best of the region. Hats off to all the 2024 Honorees, including Museum President & CEO Sonia Winner, whose leadership is transforming the Museum experience. https://lnkd.in/dJSNTNmV

Isn’t it TREEmendous?! 🌳 Over the weekend, the nonprofit group Rooted in Trees donated and planted a total of 24 trees at our Mentor Marsh State Nature Preserve location. Directed by Paul Abbey and aided by the Museum's Mentor Marsh Habitat Restoration Manager Mia Yeager, trees like Swamp White Oaks, Sycamores, Freeman Maples, and more were planted, with 35,000 plant plugs to be placed later this year. The trees will serve as a wind buffer from the occasional salt dust blown over by the Morton salt mine. Thank you to RiT and those who helped plant our newest additions!

We're proud to hear that the Mount Sinai Health Foundation awarded the 2024 Maurice Saltzman Award to Museum Board Member, Edward M. Barksdale, Jr, MD! This award recognizes individuals and organizations in Greater Cleveland who have made significant contributions to the health interests of the community. Dr. Barksdale serves as the Surgeon-in-Chief of University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital and the Robert J. Izant, Jr. Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. In addition to serving on the Museum’s Board of Directors, which he joined in 2022, Dr. Barksdale is well-known for his dedicated leadership and extensive community service in child welfare, violence prevention, social justice, and the reduction of healthcare disparities.

Wishing a heartfelt congratulations to the Museum’s President & CEO, Sonia Winner, for her inclusion in Crain's Cleveland Business 2024 Women of Note! Every year, Crain's honors a group of extraordinary women who are impacting Northeast Ohio through their leadership in business and within the community. From entrepreneurs to thought leaders and trailblazing visionaries, Winner joins the rank of female leaders recognized for their exceptional civic accomplishments and commitment to this region. Drop a "like" to help us celebrate! 🎉

These three clean up nice, don't you think? 🦕 Thank you for visiting, Justin M. Bibb!

Very "Happy" to host the Museum's Community Engagement Committee for a tour of the new Visitor Hall and transformation project! This amazing team of individuals supports the Museum mission through community outreach and engaging new volunteers. 📸: Community Engagement Committee with President & CEO Sonia Winner (left) pose next to Haplocanthosaurus delfsi, aka "Happy."