Making History for Future Generations: Vanessa and Woods King Carry On Their Family’s Tradition of Support

What makes the Museum a unique destination?

Vanessa: It has exceptional collections. It’s fun and exciting for kids to admire and view the items on display. As you get older, you realize the Museum is a world-class institution. 

Woods: Watching the animals in Perkins, seeing the extensive collections as you walk through the various galleries, attending a planetarium show—there are so many different exhibits and things to do in one place. It’s a one-stop shop, which is really neat—not to mention the work that’s being done with conservation and preserving natural areas. The Museum protects more than 12,000 acres in Northeast Ohio; that’s an amazing feat in itself.

What does the Museum mean to the community?

Vanessa: The Museum brings everything to life. 

Woods: As a community, we need to understand where we came from and where we’re going. We need to be able to use the resources the Museum offers—not just the collections and artifacts, but also the people with vast knowledge who work at the Museum.

What is the Museum’s role in cultivating curiosity?

Woods: We’re so fixated on screens nowadays. Being able to walk through the Museum, interact with somebody who has knowledge, look at things with our own eyes…it all inspires curiosity. You may go there to see a dinosaur exhibit, not knowing you’re really interested in conservation or something else. So, the Museum may bring you in for one reason and introduce you to something new.

Why do you give to the Museum?

Woods: For me, it’s about legacy. The Museum is one of my family’s favorite cultural institutions in our community, so it’s always been near and dear to my heart. And just like those before us, I want to make an impact and help drive the Museum forward for the next hundred years—for the next generations.

Why is the Museum special to you? 

Woods: I have a long family history of being involved with the Museum—I am the fourth generation to be involved. I remember going to the Museum as a kid with my grandmother. We loved to look at all the animals—talk about which ones lived here and which ones lived out west (since my grandparents spent a lot of time in Wyoming). I was also born and bred in Cleveland, so University Circle as an asset is really important to me. 

Why should others give to the Museum?

Woods: The Museum isn’t just about exhibits. There are so many things going on—the extensive collections and also the conservation work. Not many museums in the country —or the world—are doing what our Museum is doing. 

Vanessa: Your support today allows the organization to achieve excellence in the future. By making that impact now, you’re part of creating natural history.

Ready to contribute to our legacy? Give to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.