About the Project
The Promedica Museum of Natural History at the Toledo Zoo was a three-year project that involved a total remodel of the Museum of Science building at the Toledo Zoo. The museum is a beautiful WPA (Works Progress Administration) building and the character of the original architecture and design was carefully considered in the planning process. Graphite Design + Build worked with the Toledo Zoo to re-design the Museum of Natural History from the ground up. The museum now includes numerous dioramas of prehistoric animals and plant life that was found in the northwest Ohio region over 13,000 years ago.
The main hall, called Ohio After The Ice, showcases 9 large dioramas that feature sculpted replicas of prehistoric animals, plants, and scenes. When visitors walk into the space, they are greeted by three circular scenes that are viewable from every angle. Against the walls, tucked into the original 1938 architecture of the building, are additional dioramas and numerous taxidermy, murals and sculpted environments. The glacier wall sculpture includes carefully placed taxidermy, as well as a cold-touch interactive wall to give the experience of touching a glacier.
Special thanks to The Toledo Zoo for providing photographs of this project.
