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October 6, 1973
The Aquarium opened and was first operated by a privately owned, for-profit corporation known as Mystic Aquarium, Inc. The principal shareholder was Ohio industrialist and philanthropist Kelvin Smith. Mr. Smith was a practicing chemist with an interest in marine biology. In the 1950s, Smith (while on the Board of Trustees at the Cleveland Science Museum) began working with fellow chemist and board member William Kelley. Together, Smith and Kelley developed “Instant Ocean,” a product that allowed labs and aquariums to create artificial seawater. This product is used at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration and other institutions worldwide. In the 1970s, Mystic Aquarium, Inc. provided a venue to highlight this product.
 1975
Beluga whales first arrived at Mystic Aquarium. The whales were collected in Churchill, Manitoba.
1976
Seal Island, home to Steller and California sea lions and harbor, gray and fur seals, opened.
September 1977
Mr. Smith established the Sea Research Foundation, Inc. as a non-profit organization incorporated in the State of Ohio, dedicated to aquatic education and research. The first assets of Sea Research Foundation, Inc. also included the building and grounds of the Aquarium of Niagara Falls, New York.
 April 30, 1979
Mystic Aquarium, Inc. was dissolved, and its entire $2.6 million outstanding debt was assumed by Kelvin Smith, who previously had acquired the equity interests of the then remaining shareholders. The building, grounds and other assets were contributed to the foundation on May 1, 1979.
August 2, 1989
The Roger Tory Peterson Penguin Exhibit, which houses the Aquarium's African penguins, opened.
1996
The Seal Rescue Clinic was built. The clinic serves as a temporary home for seals undergoing rehabilitation before release back into the wild.
July 1, 1997
Dr. Robert Ballard and the Institute for Exploration joined Mystic Aquarium. Dr. Ballard brought his desire to share with the world the wonders of the deep ocean and the emerging science of deep-water archaeology. The Mystic Marinelife Aquarium became Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration.
May 1, 1998
Sea Research Foundation, Inc. (SRF), an Ohio non-profit organization, merged into a Connecticut non-stock charitable corporation. The foundation continues to operate as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
1998-99
A large renovation and expansion included the Ocean Planet Pavilion, main exhibit floor, gift shop, Penguins Café, Aquatic Animal Study Center, Challenge of the Deep and Arctic Coast, one of the largest outdoor beluga exhibits in the nation.
June 28, 1999
The Aquarium took in two pilot whales stranded at Hardings Beach in Chatham, Mass. After a successful rehabilitation, the whales were released on October 20.
2001
A California sea lion show replaced the dolphin shows in the Marine Theater.
2002
Immersion Learning, Sea Research’s national education division, was founded by Dr. Stephen Coan and Dr. Robert Ballard.
June 2008
The Aquarium’s Penguin Task Force met for the first time to examine all factors possibly affecting the declining African penguin population and develop a plan to assist with education, research and conservation of the species.
September 14, 2008
The Gurdon and Kathy Wattles Marine Mammal Observatory opened, allowing guests a look into the two pools of the Aquatic Animal Study Center for the first time. These pools house animals undergoing rehabilitation or in need of temporary housing.
Today
Sea Research is an active member of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA). In addition, the aquarium’s professional staff is affiliated with several industry organizations
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