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Western Reserve Historical Society Speakers Bureau


WRHS brings history to you!


With a variety of history-focused options, the WRHS Speakers Bureau may be a perfect addition to your event.
Speakers Bureau programs are available 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Saturday.
Sunday and evening programs require additional arrangements.
An additional charge of mileage is applied and is based on the IRS Business Travel Mileage Reimbursement Rate. 

For all questions and reservations please call 216-721-5722 x1502; or education@wrhs.org.

NEW! All WRHS Speakers Bureau programs are also available by distance learning/video conference streaming. 
Reservations and pricing are the same as an outreach.  Call now for details. 

Click here for the printable Speakers Bureau brochure (please allow a moment for download).

Program Categories:
Click on each category below for the program topic listing. 

100 Series: About Western Reserve Historical Society
200 Series: Local History
300 Series: Science History
400 Series: Social History
500 Series: Other Topics
600 Series: Senior Audience Programs


100 Series: About Western Reserve Historical Society

Programs about Western Reserve Historical Society are presented free of charge as a service to our community.

101. Welcome to Western Reserve Historical Society
A basic introduction to WRHS, collections, and services. With WRHS education staff.

102. About Hale Farm & Village
A basic introduction to Hale Farm & Village. With Kelly Falcone-Hall, Senior Vice President for Interpretation & Vice President for Hale Farm & Village.

103. Introduction to the WRHS Italian American Collection
This 15- to 30-minute illustrated presentation informs audiences about the establishment of the Italian American Collection, its purposes, and collection highlights. With Pamela Dorazio-Dean, Italian American History Curator.

104. Tracing Family History in the Western Reserve Historical Society Research Center
Learn how to begin research about your ancestors using the extensive WRHS resources. This presentation gives an overview that will acquaint you with methods and sources. With Ann Sindelar, Reference Supervisor.

105. InHale: A Fresh New Direction for Hale Farm & Village
Going green has a special meaning at Hale Farm & Village where gardens and food service connect to provide delicious selections. Learn about the flower, herb, vegetable, and historic gardens at Hale. With Kelly Falcone-Hall, Senior Vice President for Interpretation & Vice President for Hale Farm & Village.

106. Collections of the WRHS Research Center
Often called “the hidden jewel of Cleveland,” the WRHS archives and publications collections are preserved for community and scholarly use. Find out what wonderful resources are available in the Research Center. With Ann Sindelar, Reference Supervisor.

107. Setting the World in Motion
See a preview of the exhibit opening in early 2013 in the newly transformed Upper Crawford Gallery at the WRHS History Center. The presentation includes a look into each section of the exhibit; “Setting the World in Motion,” covering topics such as the Western Reserve Automobile Industry, the National Air Races, Early Aviation in the Western Reserve, the Great Lakes Exposition, and Euclid Beach Park. With Derek E. Moore, Frederick  & Kathleen Crawford Curator of Transportation.


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200 Series: Local History

The following programs are about the history of the Western Reserve, Northeast Ohio and Cleveland and are available to nonprofit community groups for $75. For others, the fee is $110.

201. History of Cleveland and the Western Reserve
This overview of the history of Cleveland spans from the early formation of the Western Reserve to the city’s bicentennial in 1996. With Dr. Edward J. Pershey, Vice President for Museum Special Projects and Exhibits.

202. Cleveland Economic History
Cleveland history is presented from the perspective of the companies and technologies that shaped the economic structure of the greater Cleveland community. With Dr. Edward J. Pershey, Vice President for Museum Special Projects and Exhibits.

203. Cleveland and the Civil War
A view of the great American conflict of the mid-19th century from the perspective of what Clevelanders knew about the war through the local newspapers. With Dr. Edward J. Pershey, Vice President for Museum Special Projects and Exhibits.

204. Cleveland’s Great Lakes Exposition of 1936-1937
Hear the story of how right in the middle of the Great Depression, Cleveland put on the biggest party it ever threw. It covered 135 acres of lakefront land, from the old Municipal Stadium to what is now Burke Lakefront Airport. Among hundreds of attractions were the Donald Gray Gardens, Streets of the World and Billy Rose’s Aquacade. With John Vacha, local historian and author.

205. Streetcar to the American Dream: The History of the Shaker Rapid Transit
Two businessmen in Cleveland, the Van Sweringen brothers, created the new upper-class bedroom community of Shaker Heights. Learn how, as part of their plan, they built the Shaker Heights Rapid Transit, which today survives as part of Cleveland’s Regional Transit Authority. With Dr. Edward J. Pershey, Vice President for Museum Special Projects and Exhibits.

206. Streetcars in Cleveland
The last streetcars ran in Cleveland in 1952, but surrounding communities relied on streetcars for many years afterward for basic urban transportation. Hear how streetcar companies were intimately tied to city government and morphed into today’s Regional Transit Authority. With Dr. Edward J. Pershey, Vice President for Museum Special Projects and Exhibits.

207. History of Cleveland Municipal Airport
This is the story of how the City of Cleveland opened the world’s largest airport in 1925. Learn how Cleveland Municipal Airport grew through the years to become the current Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. With Dr. Edward J. Pershey, Vice President for Museum Special Projects and Exhibits.

208. Steel Making in Cleveland
The iron and steel industry has been a significant part of the Cleveland economy and landscape since before the Civil War. Steel continues to be made just a few miles from Public Square. Learn how steel is made and how the process has changed over the years. With Dr. Edward J. Pershey, Vice President for Museum Special Projects and Exhibits.

209. The Vehicles of the Western Reserve
This presentation considers the vehicles built in the Western Reserve region from the late 1800s until 1932 when Peerless built its last automobile. Examples from the Crawford Auto Aviation Collection at the Western Reserve Historical Society will be featured. With Derek E. Moore, Crawford Curator of Transportation.

210. The Italians in Cleveland
This presentation can be tailored from 20 minutes to one-hour. Along with illustrations, the presentation explores Italian immigration to Cleveland from the late 19th century through present day, with a focus on life in the Italian enclaves of the city. With Pamela Dorazio-Dean, Italian American History Curator.

211. History of the Hanna Theater
Now home for the Great Lakes Theater Festival, for more than sixty years the Hanna Theatre was Cleveland’s preferred stage for touring Broadway shows. Intertwined with its history are visits by such theatrical luminaries as Katharine Cornell, Ethel Barrymore, Henry Fonda and Helen Hayes. With John Vacha, local historian and author.

212. The Civil War in Northern Ohio
Based on David Van Tassel’s posthumously published Behind Bayonets, this program focuses on life on the home front in Cleveland during the Civil War. Special attention is given to the role played behind the front line by women and the Soldiers Aid Society. With John Vacha, local historian and author.

213. Sports in Cleveland
How did “games” become a major business and civic enterprise? This illustrated presentation outlines the history of major sports in Cleveland, touching upon some of the area’s most noted sports heroes while also examining the manner in which games became a central part of the region’s economy. With Dr. John Grabowski, Senior Vice President for Research and Publications & Krieger-Mueller Historian.

214. Immigration and Migration to Cleveland
The story of immigration and migration is at the core of our region’s history. Today Northeast Ohio is home to more than 120 ethnic groups. How did our city and region, once an outpost of New England, become a global community? What attracted migrants and immigrants here; what pushed them out of their homelands? With Dr. John Grabowski, Senior Vice President for Research and Publications & Krieger-Mueller Historian.

215. Millionaire’s Row
Euclid Avenue looms large in the history and mythology of Cleveland. This illustrated history discusses the origins of “Famous Old Euclid Avenue” and explores the stories of some of the families who lived on Millionaire’s Row. It also deals with the origins of the family fortunes and where some of that “money” may be found today in the abundant cultural resources of Cleveland. With Dr. John Grabowski, Senior Vice President for Research and Publications & Krieger-Mueller Historian.

216. Cleveland: Then and Now
Based on the best-selling book of this title, this lecture pairs archival photographs of sites in Cleveland with their contemporary appearances. More than a simple picture show, the presentation provides an overview of the city’s history with a particular emphasis on its neighborhoods. With Dr. John Grabowski, Senior Vice President for Research and Publications & Krieger-Mueller Historian.

217. The Grand Tour
During the 19th century, wealthy Clevelanders polished their cultural credentials by taking a grand tour of Europe where they explored art galleries, castles, museums, and spectacular natural landscapes. These tours left lasting impressions (both good and bad) on those who traveled, and in several cases ended up changing the cultural landscape of our community. This illustrated talk follows the Wades, Adella Prentiss Hughes and other Clevelanders on their journeys abroad. With Dr. John Grabowski, Senior Vice President for Research and Publications & Krieger-Mueller Historian.

218. “Elegance above beneath and all around”: Cleveland’s Euclid Avenue
Like this quote from Randall Wade to his father Jeptha in 1866 describing their newly built home at 40th and Euclid Avenue, this presentation celebrates the interior furnishings of Cleveland’s Euclid Avenue. See historic photographs and decorative arts from the WRHS collection. With Dean Zimmerman, Chief Curator.

219. Cleveland Jewish History
This overview of Jewish history in Northeast Ohio, from the establishment of the community in 1839 to today, includes a focus on how Jewish immigrants from Germany and East Central Europe helped to transform the city by establishing religious, social, and cultural organizations. With Dr. Sean Martin, Curator for Jewish American History.

220. Jewish Entrepreneurship in Cleveland
From Bobbi Brooks to Forest City, Jewish entrepreneurs have left a mark on our communities. Explore stories from the garment industry and real estate, among other fields, in an effort to understand how and why immigrant entrepreneurs achieve success. With Dr. Sean Martin, Curator for Jewish American History.

221. Jews from Northeast Ohio and the Civil War
Jewish participation in the Civil War helped to solidify the community’s ties to their new nation. Learn how Jewish soldiers experienced the front and about soldiers celebrating Passover in the middle of the war. With Dr. Sean Martin, Curator for Jewish American History.

222. Zionism in Cleveland
The tie between Cleveland and Israel is very strong. Cleveland’s most influential rabbi, Abba Hillel Silver, helped to establish the state of Israel. Learn how the Jewish community from Cleveland supported Zionist ideas and continue to contribute to the developing state. With Dr. Sean Martin, Curator for Jewish American History.

223. Ethnicity and Local History
Explore the variety of ethnic communities to which we belong and the local communities in which we live. Why do local ethnic groups form arts and cultural organizations, sports clubs, charities, and other groups which highlight their differences? How do these local groups, an integral part of our civil society, operate within larger, national ethnic groups and how do they help us negotiate our identities as citizens, members of religious communities, or members of other nations? To what extent are these groups successful in encouraging future generations to identify with the ethnic group? With Dr. Sean Martin, Curator for Jewish American History.

224. The Development of Cleveland’s Suburbs
Cleveland’s rise and decline is often studied in terms of the population of the central city. Explore why migrants chose Cleveland and then why they chose to move to the suburbs. Topics to be discussed include cultural diversity, economic status, and race relations. With Dr. Sean Martin, Curator for Jewish American History.

225. The Holocaust and Local History
Focus on how the events that make up the Holocaust affected communities in both Eastern Europe, where the most horrific crimes of the Holocaust occurred, and in the United States, where the Jewish community responded to the events with both astonishment and action. The goal is to uncover the role that this complex history continues to play in our daily lives, whether in the small towns of Eastern Europe or the suburbs of greater Cleveland. With Dr. Sean Martin, Curator for Jewish American History.

226. The Land of Milk and Honey? Early Writings about the Western Reserve
What was the early Western Reserve really like? This presentation gives first-hand accounts of early settlers, travelers, surveyors and land developers. With Kelly Falcone-Hall, Senior Vice President for Interpretation & Vice President for Hale Farm & Village.

227. WWII Up Front & Personal
Experiences of Clevelanders during WWII as told through oral history interviews conducted in 2007. With Dr. Edward J. Pershey, Vice President for Museum Special Projects and Exhibits.

228. Ethnic Genealogy Resources and Cleveland Area Neighborhoods
Presentations are available on specific ethnic groups and neighborhood histories upon request. With Ann Sindelar, Reference Supervisor.

229. Speak Out Like a Man : Women in Abolition in the Western Reserve
Explore the experiences of local women involved in the movement to abolish slavery before the Civil War. Learn stories of women whose private thoughts, activities, opinions, and passion for the abolition of slavery are preserved in the WRHS Archives. A closer look reveals that many were also working to end slavery of a different sort through an emerging national women’s rights movement marked by the first convention in 1848. Participants will be asked to do their part to raise funds for the cause by creating an anti-slavery pincushion, an object commonly sold at anti-slavery fundraisers. With Kelly Falcone-Hall, Senior Vice President for Interpretation & Vice President for Hale Farm & Village.

230. Seeing the Known World in a Day or Four: Ohioans attend the Centennial in Philadelphia
What did people experience during the Centennial of 1876? Featuring images of the “Ohio House.” With Dr. Gainor B. Davis, WRHS President & CEO.

231. The President Maker: Cleveland’s Marcus Hanna
Marcus Hanna, the man who made William McKinley president, was a Cleveland businessman who became a political leader of America. From attending school with John D. Rockefeller to taking over his father-in-law’s mining company, Hanna worked behind the scenes in 1896 to help shape national politics. Later, as a U.S. Senator, he helped pass the legislation to create the Panama Canal. With Chad Malkamaki, WRHS Educator.

232. Cleveland’s Adopted Son: John Hay
John Hay, private secretary to Abraham Lincoln, and later Secretary of State under Presidents McKinley and Roosevelt, married into one of the leading families of Cleveland. Poet, diplomat, and author John Hay helped shape the United States as the country entered the 20th century. With Chad Malkamaki, WRHS Educator.

233. Cleveland Perspectives: Watercolor Painting made for the Western Reserve Historical Society (Under the Auspices of the National Youth Administration by Students of the Cleveland School of Art, 1936 – 1940)
See examples of watercolor paintings of Cleveland and its environs, selected from a large group of paintings executed by students at the Cleveland School of Art (now the Cleveland Institute of Art) for WRHS. Created with the support of the National Youth Administration, a New Deal WPA program that specifically assisted students and youth during the Great Depression years, these paintings were not merely copies the original works, but interpretations by students in their own style. The result is a view of Cleveland from the perspective of the late 1930s that combines elements of the realism of the Ashcan school with the Colonial Revival movement. A second aspect of the project was to document existing historic structures, many of which had deteriorated and were threatened with destruction. With Dean Zimmerman, Chief Curator.

234. Rally ‘Round the Flag
See examples of flags and banners from the Civil War and the abolitionist movement in Northeast Ohio. Presentation includes Confederate and Union flags, souvenir scraps brought back and other artifacts from the WRHS collections that pertain to flags in the Civil War. With Chief Curator, Dean Zimmerman.

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300 Series: Science History

The following programs about science and technology history are available to nonprofit community groups for $75. For others, the fee is $110.

301. History of Technology in America
Learn about the ways in which technological changes have created the society in which we live. With Dr. Edward J. Pershey, Vice President for Museum Special Projects and Exhibits.

302. The Story of Warner & Swasey Telescopes
The Warner & Swasey Company of Cleveland was one of the world’s premiere manufacturers of industrial machine tools at the end of the 19th century. This company was the world’s leading maker of large scientific astronomical research telescopes, building some of the largest telescopes in the world. With Dr. Edward J. Pershey, Vice President for Museum Special Projects and Exhibits.

303. “Transit Shadows” by Vesta Reed Warner: a 19th-Century Essay on Astronomy, Family and the Importance of Education
Based on a hand-written essay by Vesta Warner, mother to Worcester Warner of the Warner & Swasey Company of Cleveland, this is a moving story of the connections between mother and son and the world scientific community. With Dr. Edward J. Pershey, Vice President for Museum Special Projects and Exhibits.

304. The Original Groovy Man: Thomas Edison and the Invention of Recorded Sound
Thomas Edison invented the phonograph in 1877 and changed the way that we think about sound. This presentation covers the first 50 years of recorded sound with samples of sound recordings from long ago. People in the audience have been known to sing along! Dr. Edward J. Pershey, Vice President for Museum Special Projects and Exhibits.

305. “The Toaster Knows”: The Marketing of Small Kitchen Appliances to Women in the Late 1920s
Electrical appliances appeared in stores during the first three decades of the 20th century. This presentation looks at the interesting ways that these new expensive devices were marketed to women in the home. With Dr. Edward J. Pershey, Vice President for Museum Special Projects and Exhibits.

306. Early History of Electric Lighting
Flipping a light switch is so common an experience that few people think much about the invention of electrical lighting or its history. Presentation provides a brief history of this most important and useful technology. With Dr. Edward J. Pershey, Vice President for Museum Special Projects and Exhibits.

307. The Wright Brothers Invent the Airplane
Two young men from Dayton, Ohio, solved the basic technological problems of using a heavier-than-air machine to allow humans to fly like birds. This presentation provides a clear history of their achievements and understandable descriptions of the underlying technology. Dr. Edward J. Pershey, Vice President for Museum Special Projects and Exhibits.

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400 Series: Social History

The following programs about social history in the American experience are available to nonprofit community groups for $75. For others, the fee is $110.

401. The Home Recreation Room, 1920-1960
This illustrated presentation explores the evolution of the recreation room in the suburban home from its initial appearance in the 1920s through the height of its popularity during the post-World War II era. With Pamela Dorazio-Dean, Curator of Italian American History.

402. Jews and Organized Crime
Studying the Jewish involvement in the area’s organized crime throughout the20th century helps us to understand how and why some individuals became involved in criminal activity. Also considered in this history of organized crime are the relationships between Jews and other ethnic groups. With Dr. Sean Martin, Curator for Jewish American History.

403. Avoid the Rake: Tales of Courtship and Marriage in the early Western Reserve
Explore courtship and marriage ideals and actual practices of young people during the early 19th century in the Western Reserve. Audiences will gain access to the secret world of young women – and men – who recorded intimate thoughts and practices in diaries and letters that are now preserved the special collections of local archives and libraries. Learn how authors of 19th-century etiquette books sought to impose strict rules of behavior on those of courting age, and how historical sources can be used to study how young adults of yesterday were breaking all the rules – at least by today’s standards. With Kelly Falcone-Hall, Senior Vice President for Interpretation & Vice President for Hale Farm & Village.

404. The Automobile in American Culture
This presentation follows the invention and development of one of the most important technologies to shape our daily lives the automobile. With Dr. Edward J. Pershey, Vice President for Museum Special Projects and Exhibits.

405. Thanksgiving Then and Now
One of America’s favorite holidays began with the Pilgrims, who came to our shores seeking freedom and prosperity. What was the first Thanksgiving really like, and how has it become a national holiday? From George Washington and Abraham Lincoln to Barack Obama, from turkey and cod fish to turkey and football, follow images, stories and memories of this truly American feast day.

406. Crackers in the Streets: Holiday Traditions in the Western Reserve
Learn about celebrations and partying in the holiday season in the early years of the Western Reserve. Customs came with the settlers, many of which we would not recognize today. With Kelly Falcone-Hall, Senior Vice President for Interpretation & Vice President for Hale Farm & Village.

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500 Series: Other Topics

The following programs are available to nonprofit community groups at $75. For others, the fee is $110.

 

501. Preserving Automotive History: The How and Why of Preserving an Automotive CollectionExplore the idea of preservation standards for automotive collections and the question of “restoration” versus “preservation.“ With examples of restored and preserved yet unrestored vehicles, consider why unrestored vehicles are important to automotive history. With Derek E. Moore, Crawford Curator of Transportation.

502. East European Jewish Genealogy
Learn about Eastern Europe, the place from which many in the Jewish community emigrated. Participants will learn about the geography of the region and about tools available to help them find additional sources in Eastern Europe. With Dr. Sean Martin, Curator for Jewish American History.

503. The Geography of Eastern Europe
Many of Cleveland’s ethnic groups come from this area; neighbors in the Old World, they also became neighbors in the New. Learn about the empires of Central and Eastern Europe, where they were located, and why so many people left in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The effects of Communist rule will also be discussed. With Dr. Sean Martin, Curator for Jewish American History.

504. History of Poland and Polish Americans
Polish Americans helped us to make steel and build bridges. They also gave us pierogi! Learn about their home in Poland, the rise of an independent Poland in the 1920s and ‘30s, the tragic history of World War II, and the rise and fall of Communism. Cleveland’s many different Polish cultural organizations, both past and present, will also be featured. With Dr. Sean Martin, Curator for Jewish American History.

505. House History 101: A Course for Beginners
If you live in, or are interested in an old house, learn how to find its history. This is a how to get started presentation for those seeking information about their homes and neighborhoods. With Kelly Falcone-Hall, Senior Vice President for Interpretation & Vice President for Hale Farm & Village.

506. History Museums in the 21st Century
A broad look at the way that history museums are changing in the new era of digital technology. The prime question raised in this presentation is: what is the role of the original artifact in museum displays and in educating young people? With Dr. Edward J. Pershey, Vice President for Museum Special Projects and Exhibits.

507. Researching Antiques on the Internet
Use case studies of recent museum acquisitions and research requests to explore how the internet can be a useful tool to identify, date, and research art, antiques, and historical material culture. Topics will include researching patents, use of local history web sites, art indexes, and online auctions. Although the internet does not replace traditional library sources, it can provide very fast access to the critical questions curators address every day: Who made the object, where, when? Is the object rare, plentiful, or typical? Was it owned or used by a significant historical figure? These questions and more will be examined. With Chief Curator, Dean Zimmerman.

508. Treasures of Western Reserve Historical Society
The richness and diversity of WRHS holdings are presented in a PowerPoint presentation. The objects cover a 400-year period and express the history of Cleveland and the Western Reserve as well as the wider impact of the peoples of Northeast Ohio on the nation and world. With Dean Zimmerman, Chief Curator.

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600 Series: Senior Audience Programs

These “Magic of Memories” programs with the WRHS Education Department include a presentation followed by interactive discussion with hands-on artifacts. The presentations are varied for the cognitive level of the audiences, from active independent seniors to those in assisted living, nursing homes and dementia units. The focus of the programs is to present information that is in the memory banks of the seniors and will provide positive stimuli for conversation and story-telling. Book one, or the whole series. Fee is $130 for one, $110 for two or more.


601. Custard, Coasters and Carousels: Remembering Euclid Beach Park
Who could forget Laughing Sal and Laughing Sam, the Rocket Ships, the Thriller and the beloved Carousel with its 56 horses and 2 chariots? For nearly 70 years, Euclid Beach Park was the scene for memories both fond and frightening. From the Fountain on the beach to the Penny Arcade, share your stories and be reminded of the wonder of the park.

602. The Golden Age of Shopping in Cleveland
Which was more glamorous: riding the elevator (with an operator!) or your first few tries on the escalator? Remember with us Halle Brothers, May Co., Higbee’s and the Sterling Linder Christmas
Tree. From trucks that delivered your purchases the next day to dining in tea rooms, shopping downtown was definitely a dressy affair. Delight in this look back at the height of downtown elegance.

603. Help from the Home Front in WWII: Clevelanders Ration, Recycle, and Rivet
Rationing of sugar, butter and gasoline. Auto production cancelled to make way for tanks. When you weren’t recycling, Uncle Sam wanted you to buy war bonds. View images of the era and listen to the oral history stories of Clevelanders who experienced WWII right here. A short presentation is followed by viewing of war posters, newspaper ads, ration books, war time recipes, photos and more. Sharing of experiences and memories is encouraged.

604. Cleveland Hits the National Scene: 1930s Events Bring the Crowds
The National Air Races, the Great Lakes Exposition, the opening of Severance Hall and
Municipal Stadium all brought crowds to Cleveland. They could travel by train and arrive in the new Union Terminal Station in Terminal Tower. Revisit these events and add your own memories.

605. Eliot Ness’ Cleveland: Prohibition, Beer and the Torso Murders
Travel back to the time when Cleveland had bootleggers, speakeasies and unsolved crimes. Out of Chicago came Eliot Ness to save our city at the same time prohibition ended and the beer industry bubbled up. Enjoy a trip to the rip-roarin’ 1930s in our own hometown.

606. Fab 50s Cleveland Style: Glorious Sports, Gory Murder, Glamour Girls, & Gas Guzzlers
Re-live 1954, the year the Indians, Browns and Barons were all in championships, Marilyn Sheppard was murdered and Marilyn Monroe was married. Remember cocktail parties, poodle skirts, Herbert Tareyton cigarettes, rayon shirts and Chrysler Imperials. A short presentation of life in Cleveland in 1954 is followed by guided informal discussion as hands-on souvenirs of life in the Fifties are passed around, offering the opportunity for sharing experiences and memories.

607. The Story of Tinkerbelle: One Man’s Journey Across the Ocean in a Tiny Boat
Participants use Clevelander Robert Manry’s hand-drawn map to trace his 1965 record-setting feat of daring sailing across the Atlantic in a 13 ½ -foot sail boat. Manry, an employee of the Cleveland Press, became a world-wide star as his craft neared England, with 50,000 people witnessing his arrival. His story is told with a power-point presentation and items similar to those that were on the voyage.

608. Celebrations of Light Brighten up Winter in Cleveland
Diwali, Ramadan, Hanukaah, Christmas, Santa Lucia, Rohatsu and Kwanzaa are all fall and winter holidays
celebrated in some of Greater Cleveland’s most sacred spaces. As culturally diverse as they may be, they all celebrate light in both literal and symbolic ways. This overview will introduce you to the many ways Clevelanders dispel the gloom of winter and seek to celebrate together. Filled with color and warmth, let these celebrations lift your spirits!

609. Valentine’s Day in Cleveland
Learn about the history of St. Valentine’s Day, experience a local story of true romance between Clevelanders Dawson and Anna Kelly, and remember your own February 14th’s of years past. Examine a variety of valentines from the WRHS collection, and reminisce with Valentine’s Day advertisements in up-close power-point slides.