It’s not every day you see a pair of 2,000-pound woolly mammoth statues floating through the Cincinnati air.
In April, two full-scale adult woolly mammoths were expertly lifted and relocated to their new home at the Cincinnati Museum Center, thanks to the precision and coordination of Fenton Rigging & Contracting.
A Mammoth Move for a Mammoth Job
The mammoths, cast in stunning bronze and weighing roughly 2,000 pounds each, were delivered from the Geier Research Center and transported to their new home at the Treasures Facility Building at Union Terminal. Their journey was anything but ordinary.
Fenton’s crane crew managed the heavy lifting with precision, gently hoisting the statues off the truck and setting them into their permanent place at the museum’s front doors, all while keeping crowds of curious onlookers at a safe distance.
While the public saw the final moments of the lift, the Fenton team was hard at work long before that.
Lift planning, crane logistics, and site coordination were all handled by Fenton well in advance. With decades of experience in lifting everything from historical landmarks to HVAC units, this job was a natural fit.
With cranes rated up to 250 tons and a crew trained in heavy, delicate lifts, Fenton was well equipped to handle both the complexity and the weight of the job.
From History to Heritage: Fenton and Cincinnati’s Landmarks
This isn’t Fenton’s first time moving a piece of Cincinnati history.
In fact, the company has been behind the scenes on some of the region’s most iconic moves, from relocating the historic Union Terminal mosaic to precision placement of statues and artifacts for the Cincinnati Art Museum.
For over 125 years, Fenton has served as Cincinnati’s go-to partner for crane services, rigging, and contracting, with a legacy built on safety, communication, and getting the job done right the first time.
Why the Right Crane Company Makes All the Difference
Moving heavy machinery is one thing. Moving fine art cast in metal is another. It takes:
- Advanced lift planning
- A fleet of modern, well-maintained cranes
- A crew trained in both rigging and high-stakes lifting
- Open coordination with museums, contractors, and the public
That’s where Fenton stands out. The company’s “Zero In On Safety” culture means nothing gets rushed and no detail is left to chance.
Final Placement: Two Icons Welcome Visitors Home
With the lift complete and the woolly mammoths in place, the Cincinnati Museum Center can now offer a showstopping welcome to guests of all ages. The statues honor the Ice Age giants that once roamed Ohio and provide a powerful connection to the region’s prehistoric past.
Thanks to Fenton Rigging’s expertise, that vision became reality – safely, smoothly, and without incident.
Trust Fenton for Lifting the Irreplaceable
Whether it’s ancient statues, structural steel, or state-of-the-art equipment, Fenton Rigging & Contracting is the name contractors and curators trust to handle what matters most.
If your project calls for precision, coordination, and experience, give us a call at 513-631-5500. We’re here to lift your job forward, on time, on budget, and with care that lasts.