Making History Their Future: How Board Member Susan Donlan’s Children Inspired Her Passion

You’re relatively new to Cleveland. How did the Museum catch your interest?

We didn’t know a lot about Cleveland before coming here, but we did know about the variety and quality of the cultural institutions. My young children were the reason I became connected to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. They love the wildlife, the exhibits, and the presentations by educators and curators. This has been the place I’ve been comfortable bringing them throughout the pandemic because they can explore nature and be outside. 

As time has went on, I learned more about the Museum’s mission and its focus on science education. This Museum is unique among natural history museums in so many ways. Museums are important across the map, but I think ours has a really special role in our community as a trusted source of information about science and nature.

What makes the Museum special?

There’s so much that’s unique to the Museum. On the lower levels of the building, we have scientists conducting research along with vast resources and specimen archives. Researchers actively use our collections to contribute to scientific understanding every day.

Then there are the more than 12,000 acres of natural areas that the Museum holds, conserves, and uses for scientific research to enrich the understanding of our world. It’s such an important place, especially with the challenges we face these days. The focus is on understanding the environment and the natural world—that’s what I love about our Museum.

Why is the Museum vital to the community? 

The Museum is shining a light on the importance of science education. The Museum is the only place I know of to go with questions about something I find in my backyard or to further explore something that I’ve read about related to our natural world. It’s a place right here in our community where you can engage with science, scientists, and experts who can enhance our understanding.

Science has helped us get to such incredible places in our understanding of our bodies and environment. The Museum is a connection point to bring people together for a noble purpose, and that should be celebrated and protected.

What is the Museum’s role in saving curiosity? 

It’s about asking “why” to every single thing. It’s beyond saving curiosity—it’s about nurturing it. That spark of curiosity is what has promoted so many discoveries and advances for us. That same curiosity is what drives us to understand how we can make things better. We need to keep it going.

Why do you give to the Museum?

I want my children to grow up and have a planet that continues to support them in having happy and full lives. I want them to understand the importance of nature—to explore it and cherish it. I want my children to grow up as stewards of our environment.

The Museum is emblematic of the importance of the planet and our obligations to help understand and protect the natural environment we’ve been given.

Why should others give to the Museum?

Through the Museum’s transformation, we’re making an incredible contribution to our community. There’s so much to the Museum—what you see and beyond. 

This Museum is for all of us and about all of us. It’s about understanding ourselves and where we are today and, more important, where we’re heading. During this unprecedented time, the Museum’s work is more critical than ever before. Supporting the Museum is about investing in our understanding of our environment and enriching our communities. Every dollar is well worth it. 

Want to help spark curiosity? Give now to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.