Cleveland Museum of Natural History

1 Wade Oval Dr, Cleveland, OH

Cleveland Museum of Natural History

1 Wade Oval Dr, Cleveland, OH

Show Phone

www.cmnh.org

Capacity: 500 people

About Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Combining education and entertainment, The Cleveland Museum of Natural History creates an unforgettable event experience. Whether you’re planning an intimate dinner party, formal corporate function, or an elaborate wedding and reception, our venue’s fascinating exhibits and world-renowned discoveries will inspire both you and your guests.

Event Pricing

Museum Evening Rental

Attendees: 10-500 | Pricing is for all event types

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Attendees: 10-500 | $1,500 - $5,500 /event
Pricing for all event types

$1,500 - $5,500

Per Event

More Info

Event Spaces

Kirtland Hall of Prehistoric Life available through September 2022

Maximum Capacity: 250
Exhibit Hall

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Kirtland Hall of Prehistoric Life available through September 2022

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Exhibit Hall | Maximum Capacity: 250

See what the world was like when eurypterids (sea scorpions) and trilobites lived hundreds of millions of years ago. View fossil plants and invertebrate animals from the bottom of ancient oceans. Stroll by the swamp forests that formed the world’s coal, check out the monstrous meat-cleaver jaws of Dunkleosteus terrelli, the fossil fish found in the shale around Cleveland, then meet some of our dinosaurs. “Happy,” the 70-foot-long Haplocanthosaurus delfsi, is the oldest sauropod on exhibit anywhere. Allosaurus is a 40-foot-long, 15-foot-tall meat eater that lived about 160 million years ago. The skull of Nanotyrannus lancensis is the world’s only specimen of this small cousin of T. rex. At the entrance to a display detailing human evolution stands a reconstructed skeleton of 3.2 million-year-old “Lucy,” discovered in 1974 by a Museum curator and determined to be a new species of human ancestor. Among the much younger inhabitants of Kirtland Hall are Smilodon, a sabertoothed cat from California’s La Brea tar pits; a mammoth; and the Johnstown Mastodon, discovered in Ohio.

Supported Layouts and Capacities

Banquet - 8 per
Capacity: 250 People

Amenities

Dance Floor
Wireless Internet/Wi-Fi

Features

Atmosphere/Decor: Perfect for any reception, served sit-down dinner, or buffet.
Floor Number: 1
Special Features: Facility Rentals include exclusive access to exhibits and galleries on the main level. Tables, chairs, Security and Housekeeping Services are included. Parking available in attached, lighted and secure Parking Garage.

Nathan and Fannye Shafran Planetarium

Maximum Capacity: 85
General Event Space

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Nathan and Fannye Shafran Planetarium

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General Event Space | Maximum Capacity: 85

The Shafran Planetarium, one of the best-equipped and most compelling facilities of its size in the nation, opened in January 2002. Its unique design allows the exterior to function as an astronomical instrument. Nighttime visitors can use the building's chamfered roof to locate Polaris, the North Star, around which all other stars in the sky appear to rotate. The building sparkles with fiber-optic lighting embedded in its titanium-coated stainless-steel outer covering. This system gives the building a subtle glow without contributing to the light pollution above University Circle. Inside the domed planetarium theater, the Skymaster ZKP3/S projector – the first of its kind in the world – can show the positions of more than 5,000 stars, nebulae and galaxies, as well as the Moon and visible planets. The theater offers comfortable, theater-style seating for 85, has a digital sound system and is fully handicapped accessible. Astronomy experts present live shows that explain current celestial phenomena.

Supported Layouts and Capacities

Theater
Capacity: 85 People

Amenities

Features

Atmosphere/Decor: Titanium-coated stainless-steel panels give the planetarium a space-age look. A fiber-optic light is embedded in each panel. At night, this system gives the building a subtle glow.
Floor Number: 1
Special Features: The Museum's Planetarium is one of the best equipped and most compelling facilities of its size in the nation. Nighttime visitors can use the building's chamfered roof to locate Polaris, the North Star, around which all other stars appear to rotate.

Thelma and Kent H. Smith Environmental Courtyard

Maximum Capacity: 200
Outdoor Venue

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Thelma and Kent H. Smith Environmental Courtyard

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Outdoor Venue | Maximum Capacity: 200

Newly redesigned Courtyard provides a beautiful outdoor setting for corporate and social events. The lighted space includes stone-paved terrace, waterfall feature and pathways showcasing native plants.

Supported Layouts and Capacities

Banquet - 8 per
Capacity: 15 People

Chevron - 18"
Capacity: 150 People

Reception
Capacity: 200 People

Amenities

Features

Floor Covering: stone

Murch Auditorium

Maximum Capacity: 440
Auditorium

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Murch Auditorium

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Auditorium | Maximum Capacity: 440

Newly upgraded and ideal for programs, lectures, film screening and performances. It is equipeed with 160" x 284" screen, projector, lighting and optimal acoustics. Guest Capacity 440 seats. Stage Size 27' 2" D x 48' x 2" W

Supported Layouts and Capacities

Seating Capacity
Capacity: 440 People

Amenities

Wireless Internet/Wi-Fi

Features

Number of Green Rooms: 1

Perkins Wildlife Center & Woods Garden

Maximum Capacity: 250
Alternate Venue

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Perkins Wildlife Center & Woods Garden

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Alternate Venue | Maximum Capacity: 250

Stroll along our winding pathways and enjoy an outdoor extension of the Museum full of native plants, animals and birds. Perfect for your pre-function receptions. Open until Dusk.

Supported Layouts and Capacities

Reception
Capacity: 250 People

Amenities

Features

Special Features: Native Ohio Animals are featured including: otters, eagles, owls, fox, bobcat, coyotes

Reinberger Hall of Earth and Planetary Exploration

Exhibit Hall

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Reinberger Hall of Earth and Planetary Exploration

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Exhibit Hall

From the formation of the universe to a timeline of the development of life on Earth, this interactive gallery integrates geology and astronomy. Soar through the solar system, feel the rumbling of an earthquake and touch real volcanic rock. Choose ingredients, time, temperature and pressure to cook up some rocks of your own on a computer screen. Watch a cavern being created by the slow drip of underground water, touch real stalactites and stalagmites, investigate Ohio’s rocks and learn how glaciers sculpted our landscape.

Supported Layouts and Capacities

Amenities

Wireless Internet/Wi-Fi

Features

Atmosphere/Decor: Guests will enjoy browsing this interactive space, this is included in evening rental.
Floor Number: 1

Ralph Mueller Observatory

General Event Space

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Ralph Mueller Observatory

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General Event Space

The Museum's Ralph Mueller Observatory houses a 105-year-old, 10 ½-inch Warner & Swasey telescope. The observatory is open to the public on clear Wednesday evenings from September through the end of May from 8:30 to 11 pm. The observatory provides an excellent vantage point from which members of the public are able to observe astronomical events. For example, when Mars made its closest approach to Earth in 50,000 years in 2003, more than 750 visitors viewed the red planet through the telescope on a single evening.

Supported Layouts and Capacities

Amenities

Features

Atmosphere/Decor: The observatory houses a 10 1/2-inch refracting telescope built by the Warner & Swasey Co. of Cleveland in 1899. A 19-foot-diameter dome built by Astro-Dome of Canton, Ohio, houses the telescope.
Floor Number: 2
Special Features: The dome is motor-driven and can be rotated 360 degrees. It has a double shutter, which permits greater sky exposure.

Classroom A

General Event Space

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Classroom A

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General Event Space

These small classrooms are available for meetings and conferences

Supported Layouts and Capacities

Amenities

Features

Neighborhood

Venue Types

Amenities

ADA/ACA Accessible
Outdoor Function Area
Outside Catering Allowed
Wireless Internet/Wi-Fi

Features

Max Number of People for an Event: 500
Special Features: Celebrate your child’s birthday at the Museum. Our party packages include special songs and games, a Museum tour and treasure hunt, crafts and much more. The Museum will even provide a special birthday gift for your child! Available to our members only.
Year Renovated: 2002

Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Cleveland Museum of Natural History

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