The Move to Wade Oval Drive

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History moved to a new site in the woods of Wade Park—the heart of Cleveland’s cultural center. Construction of the new Museum buildings began in June, 1956, and the first exhibit hall was completed in May, 1958.

Once complete, the Museum’s move to its current location at 1 Wade Oval Drive was quite a spectacle to behold. The significance of the move was brought home to surprised Clevelanders who witnessed a caravan in the middle of busy Chester Avenue. Volunteers had organized cars to move the mammals to the new Wade Park site. Some of the smaller animals were carried in the trunks of the automobiles. The larger animals led the parade in open convertibles, contrasting sharply with the backdrop of billboards and traffic lights.

Once the move was completed, normal Museum activities were resumed and expanded. Early in 1959, the attractive, modern Planetarium building was opened. By the end of 1960, the new Observatory, housing a 10 1/2-inch Warner and Swasey refracting telescope, was dedicated.