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Delving into The Cleveland Museum of Natural History

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is one of the best of its kind in the country, and is a one-stop source of learning and entertainment for visitors. Started in 1920, the museum has grown over the decades and now has a current focus on presenting research in science, education and conservation of the natural world. It also offers over 140 educational programs for the approximately 80,000 students that visit the museum each year. Visitors can peruse a variety of permanent exhibitions and look over the vast collection of natural history artifacts that are housed here.

For example, the museum holds over 5 million specimens and items within its collections. Visitors can stop to see Lucy, which is a cast made a 3.2 million-year-old skeleton of a human being. Children will go crazy for the life-size replicas of dinosaurs from the past, including a Tyrannosaurus rex. For a more recent exhibition, museum goers can stroll through the Perkins Wildlife Center and Woods Garden. This area showcases plant life and animals that are native to the state of Ohio.

Behind the scenes, museum curators conduct research into the following areas: physical anthropology, archaeology, botany, zoology and paleontology. Other museum staff help visitors travel to the stars in the Shafran Planetarium. They can also look at a telescope that was constructed in 1899 in the Meuller Observatory. Rockhounds can find over 1,500 kinds of minerals and gemstones that are located in the Wade Gallery.

For those who like something different, the museum regularly hosts special events that give visitors a different twist on a familiar topic. For example, there will be upcoming events on the natural history of chocolate and a variety of hands-on activities for all ages on Astronomy Day. Regardless of your interests, you will be able to find something to catch your fancy at The Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

Filed Under: Events, News Tagged With: Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Museum, Ohio

Reconnecting with Ohio’s Canals

Normally, when you think of Ohio, the first thing that comes to mind is agriculture, which was one of the primary industries in the state’s early history. But something that you might not consider is how important the construction of canals were to the state early on. In 1820, Ohio’s population was bursting at the seams with over 580,000 people in the state’s boundaries. One of the biggest problems they faced was minimal ways to travel and transport goods in and out of Ohio.

Individuals could travel over The National Road that ran from Cumberland all the way to Wheeling, but were in for an expensive trip. The other option was to travel over the Ohio- Mississippi River passage, but the risks were great and the trip too lengthy. The answer to the state’s prayers came in the form of a canal that was being built to bring Lake Erie, the Hudson River and New York City together. It would offer a safer, more efficient and cheaper way to travel and ship goods. Other canals that were constructed around the area had their heyday until 1855, when they ran approximately 1,000 miles.

Their high tide was brought to an end by the advancement of the railroad into the West, which made traveling over land cheaper and faster. The canals are no longer bringing in the profit and had become too expensive to maintain. Much of the land and water way that had once been used for transport was sold to private investors. Many of them suffered major damage during the flooding that occurred in 1913 due to excessive snow. In current times, the remnants of the canals that are left are being restored and protected. Current efforts are being made to transform the canals to serve a new purpose as recreational areas for the state and its visitors. This helps to keep alive their importance in Ohio’s early history.

Filed Under: News, Sports Tagged With: Canal, Lake Erie, New York City, Ohio

Deadly Weather: Historic Ohio Storms

The Midwest is home to deadly tornadoes and dangerous thunderstorms each year. Some of these storms, though, stick out in Ohio’s memory as having a vengeance all their own. One of these is the Lorain tornado that struck the area on June 28, 1924. Though not one of the most powerful storms ever recorded in the state, it does carry the highest number of fatalities.

About 4:30 on Saturday evening, the tornado got its start near Sandusky Bay and started to spin toward the east. It caused major destruction within a nine block radius of the city and then headed off towards Lake Erie. It then struck Lorain, taking out a total of 500 dwellings and causing major damage to over 1,000 homes in the area. Every single business within the downtown region was damaged, and approximately 200 vehicles were covered with debris from the storm. The State Theater in the city was the scene of 15 deaths. Altogether, 85 people were killed by the storm, with 72 of these individuals being from Lorain.

An earlier storm that occurred in 1920 on Palm Sunday unleashed a total of 30 tornadoes and eventually killed 153 individuals, 29 of which were in Ohio. The storm itself was approximately 1,200 feet across and ravaged homes, buildings and the land that it passed over. At times, two tornadoes were running parallel to each other as they wrecked havoc on the western Ohio countryside.

These record storms also brought massive flooding in 1913, which is considered the largest natural disaster ever to hit the state. Desperate measures were taken to block the floodwaters, including dynamiting some of the canal locks to stop the flooding. Dayton saw water levels of up to 20 feet in the city, and across the state over 20,000 homes were completely decimated. A total of 428 people were killed.

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: Midwestern United States, Ohio, Sandusky Bay, Tornado

Nature’s Vistas at Cuyahoga Valley

: Image via Wikipedia

Cuyahoga Valley National Park located in Brecksville, Ohio transforms the landscape from the urban center of Akron into a lengthy wilderness. The visitor will see beautiful vistas of forest and hills that roll into the distance. The park is beauiful throughout the year, enjoyable in the depths of winter as in the sunny days of summer. The river flows through the park’s 33,000 acres. The forests and land are home to a number of plant and animal species that you can take in as you walk. There are also a number of habitats, including wetlands. Rugged terrain and plummeting cliffs provide hikers and other visitiors with challenge and enjoyment.

The park is home to a large number of hiking trails that take you through the Ohio countryside. Those who love to ride horses can take their mounts over the various horse trails that are also available. Visitors of all interests and ages can find something to do within the park, including: golf, fishing, taking a bicycle ride, canoeing or enjoying one of the many other park activities available. Those who visit in winter can take part in skiing, ice fishing, sledding and winter hiking. The Winter Sports Center provides everything you need to get going.

For a real treat, the scenic train ride through the valley is a sure bet. While you ride, an audio prodcution titled “Voices of the Valley” gives you the history of the area. These cover stories of frontier life in the area, the changing of the river and the natural world that lives within it. The train is also host to special park events such as wine tastings and a special ride just for kids. It operates at different times throughout the year. For bikers, the Towpath Trail is a wonderful ride and cyclists can even get on the train at various stops if they choose. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a perfect stop on your trip to Ohio.

Filed Under: Entertainment, Travel Tagged With: Akron Ohio, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

Ancient Builders in Ohio History

Ohio has a history that stretches back to ancient times, all the way to 200 B.C. You can see some of their structures at Hopewell Culture National Historical Park located in Chillcothe, Ohio. Here, ancient builders constructed mounds of various shapes to use in ceremonies that were part of their culture. They were originally built in the time period between 200 B.C. and 500 A.D. The cultures that built these mounds were a dynamic people that were active spiritually, economically and were very active in trade. They had a strong trade relationship with their neighbors, garnering items such as shark teeth, copper and obsidian rock. The various cultures along this trade routes are highlighted at Hopewell.

You can begin your visit to the park by watching a short film and then stroll through the museum. In here, you will be able to see many of the artifacts that were found during excavations near the mounds. Park rangers also conduct interpretive talks and guided tours, which are offered during the summer season. You will need to make arrangements with the park to get involved in these activities.

When you get outside, you can guide yourself through the trail that winds among the mounds. There are numerous signs along the way that explain the history of the area and give details about the culture along with how they constructed these massive earthworks. For those with a more adventurous spirit, you can take a 14 mile long bike trail, called the Tri-county Triangle Trail, which is paved. The park also hosts special events, such as Hopewell Discovery Day. During this event, families can see demonstrations of flintknapping and take guided tours of the mounds. For a bit of ancient history and a wonderful day out, Hopewell Culture National Historical Park is the perfect place for you and your family to go.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Ancient history, Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, Ohio, United States

Fly into Air Force History

: Image via Wikipedia

Military historians, aviation fans and those who just love a good museum will want to make a stop at the National Museum of the United States Air Force located on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. The museum is open from 9 to 5 each day and is free of charge to tour. When you come to visit, you will get to see over 400 vehicles used in flight, many of which are very rare. These exhibits are not just to look at, but often to interact with as well. They take you into topics such as the Wright brothers’ work an early flight all the way up to recent times when technology has advanced to unbelievable levels.

You also get to view artifacts and planes from the earliest days of Air Force history. Included are engines, weaponry and various equipment that are used to maintain, design and construct these technological wonders from different eras. The exhibits are broken up into various areas such as: missiles and space, Cold War, World War II, early flight and research. The museum also has an IMAX gallery inside to get an exciting experience of what it is like to be in the pilot seat.

Outside the museum you can visit Memorial Park, which honors those who have died in battle. There are over 500 various memorials, some of which honor prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. The museum is full accessibility to those with disabilities and has a cafe for visitors that need a snack. Before you visit, you can take a virtual tour of some of the exhibits on the museum website.

Than National Museum of the United States Air Force is the perfect place to spend a full day exploring some of the most fascinating aspects of our country’s military history.

Filed Under: Entertainment, Travel Tagged With: National Museum of the United States Air Force, Ohio, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base