The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, located in University Circle, has a storied history that dates back to its founding in 1920. Its establishment was spearheaded by a group of local naturalists, scientists, and community leaders who sought to create an institution dedicated to the preservation and study of natural history.
Balto
Balto's story is a tale of heroism and resilience, set against the backdrop of the harsh Alaskan wilderness. In the winter of 1925, the small town of Nome, Alaska, was facing a dire situation. An outbreak of diphtheria threatened the lives of its inhabitants, particularly the children, and the town's supply of antitoxin was critically low. The nearest available serum was over a thousand miles away in Anchorage.
With ice and snow making it impossible for ships or planes to deliver the medicine, the only way to transport the serum was by dog sled. This led to the organization of the Great Race of Mercy, a relay of dog sled teams tasked with carrying the serum from Nenana to Nome. Twenty mushers and their dog teams participated in the relay, covering the 674 miles in treacherous conditions.
Balto, a black Siberian Husky, was part of the final team in the relay. He was not originally considered the lead dog for the journey, but when the lead dog was unable to continue, Balto stepped up. He and his musher, Gunnar Kaasen, faced blizzard conditions with temperatures dropping to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite the brutal weather and near-zero visibility, Balto led the team through the final 55 miles of the relay, arriving in Nome on February 2, 1925, with the lifesaving serum.
Balto's bravery and perseverance captured the public's imagination, and he became a national hero. He and Kaasen were celebrated with parades and honors. In December 1925, a statue of Balto was erected in Central Park, New York City, as a tribute to all the sled dogs and mushers who participated in the serum run. The plaque on the statue reads, "Dedicated to the indomitable spirit of the sled dogs that relayed antitoxin six hundred miles over rough ice, across treacherous waters, through Arctic blizzards from Nenana to the relief of stricken Nome in the winter of 1925. Endurance, Fidelity, Intelligence."
Balto lived out his final years in relative peace and comfort. After his death in 1933, his body was preserved and mounted, and he is now displayed at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. His legacy endures as a symbol of courage and teamwork, reminding us of the extraordinary efforts that saved countless lives in Nome.
Lucy
The story of Lucy, one of the most significant paleoanthropological discoveries, begins in the dusty landscape of the Afar Depression in Ethiopia. On November 24, 1974, a team of scientists led by paleoanthropologists Donald Johanson and Tom Gray made a groundbreaking discovery. While surveying the site of Hadar, Johanson spotted a small fragment of an arm bone protruding from the ground. This fragment led to the uncovering of one of the most complete hominid skeletons ever found.
Lucy was identified as a member of the species Australopithecus afarensis, an early ancestor of modern humans. She stood about 3.5 feet tall and weighed around 60 pounds. Her skeletal remains were remarkably well-preserved, with about 40% of her skeleton intact, providing an unprecedented glimpse into the physical structure and lifestyle of early hominids.
Named "Lucy" after the Beatles' song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," which was playing at the camp the night of her discovery, she lived approximately 3.2 million years ago. Her discovery challenged many previously held notions about human evolution. Lucy's pelvis and leg bones indicated that she walked upright, bipedally, much like modern humans, while her long arms and curved fingers suggested she also spent time in trees.
Lucy's age and relatively complete skeleton offered invaluable insights into the morphology and locomotion of early human ancestors. Her bipedalism indicated that walking on two legs preceded other significant evolutionary changes such as an increase in brain size, altering the understanding of the sequence of human evolution.
Lucy became a symbol of our shared heritage and a cornerstone in the study of human evolution. Her discovery has inspired numerous exhibitions and research projects. While her original remains are housed at the National Museum of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa, she gained international fame when a cast of her skeleton toured worldwide.
In 2007, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, where Donald Johanson once worked, hosted an exhibit titled "Lucy’s Legacy: The Hidden Treasures of Ethiopia." This marked the first time Lucy’s remains left Ethiopia, and Cleveland was the first stop on the U.S. tour. The exhibit allowed visitors to see the fossilized bones up close, offering a rare opportunity to connect with a pivotal figure in human evolution.
Today, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History houses a cast of Lucy’s skeleton, offering visitors an opportunity to view a detailed replica of this iconic fossil. The cast provides an accurate representation of Lucy’s bones, allowing visitors to gain insights into her anatomy and significance in human evolution. The museum also features comprehensive exhibits on human evolution, showcasing other significant fossils, artifacts, and interactive displays. These exhibits aim to educate visitors about the evolutionary journey of humans, highlighting key discoveries and scientific advancements in the field of paleoanthropology.
The museum played a significant role in bringing Lucy to a broader audience, enhancing public understanding and appreciation of our ancient past. Lucy's story, deeply intertwined with Cleveland through this historic exhibit, continues to influence our understanding of human origins and evolution, making her one of the most iconic figures in the field of paleoanthropology.
