Founded in 1920, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History was built upon the "new museum idea" that came to fruition during the Progressive Era: museums should not be closed-off bastions of scientific knowledge that simply house collections for professionals, but places of public education and cultural enrichment. During its first decade, the museum pursued a diverse program of collecting and analyzing specimens, publishing academic and popular publication, and interpreting its findings in exhibitions and public programming. Appointed director of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History in 1931, Harold Madison was quickly faced with the difficulties of fulfilling these lofty aims during an economic depression. With staff cut from 43 to 29 persons, the museum's volunteer staff of over 150 persons was used to man the Trailside Museums for events such as wildflower walks. Many of the volunteer staff that aided in the operation of the Trailside Museums were drawn from bird or gardening clubs.
