The Library’s diverse collections appeal to a wide spectrum of users including scholars, students, genealogists, historians, hobbyists, government, media, and others. Since its founding, the primary focus has been to document the many facets of the history of the region. This portrayal includes genealogy, religion, politics, immigration, gender, ethnicity, transportation, business, labor, war, philanthropy, medicine, leisure, and countless other dimensions.
Dear Friends of the Western Reserve Historical Society (WRHS) Library:
On September 28, 2023 there was a fire in the basement of the WRHS Library building and the Library is now closed for restoration. The Cleveland History Center (CHC) reopened on September 29, 2023 to the public and all events, exhibits, and after-hours parties and events have continued as scheduled.
As previously reported, although the fire was limited to an area of the Library basement, the event caused smoke and soot damage throughout the building and water damage to some materials in the basement. Soot contamination affected collections to varying degrees, as well as office furnishings, equipment, and mechanicals.
WRHS has been working closely with experts from Belfor Property Restoration and The Conservation Center (TCC) to restore the Library environment and building and assess, treat and restore collections. WRHS is in contact with organizations and individuals whose collections require special treatment. Most collections have been temporarily relocated to an offsite Remote Processing Center (RPC) and are being treated to remove smoke and soot contamination. The temporary relocation allows WRHS to restore the building and safeguard collections during reconstruction (in progress). At the RPC, collections are being cleaned, deodorized and re-boxed to prepare for their return when the library restoration is complete. We expect to reopen the Library building in early 2025.
WRHS staff, including Library staff and activities, have been relocated to temporary offices and workspaces at the Cleveland History Center. Library staff are continuing their work on several digitization and cataloguing projects and are responding to requests for research assistance and information.
While the Library is closed for restoration, research materials are available by request. Please contact Ann Sindelar at aksindelar@wrhs.org.
WRHS will continue to provide updates to our members, staff, Board, donors, auxiliary organizations, partners, stakeholders and friends. In the meantime, we genuinely appreciate your patience, flexibility, and confidence that WRHS is taking all of the correct and necessary steps to restore the Library and collections and resume regular operations.
Please contact Kelly Falcone-Hall, President & CEO, at kfalcone@wrhs.org with questions.
Thank you.
Kelly Falcone-Hall
President & CEO
Access to our WRHS digital collections and resources are available through our digital portal
Services
The team at the Library provides a range of services such as Digital Reproduction, Heritage Management, and Research Assistance.
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Heritage Management
The Heritage Management Team of the Corporate and Philanthropic History Archives Program partners with businesses, philanthropies, and non-profits to help organizations take an active approach to maintaining and managing their unique stories. The projects, relationships, and collections cultivated through this program are the foundation for WRHS’ position as the leading resource for the history of Northeast Ohio’s entrepreneurs, companies, and philanthropic organizations.
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The Library’s diverse collections appeal to a wide spectrum of users including scholars, students, genealogists, historians, hobbyists, government, media, and others.
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If you are just beginning to put together your family tree or are a seasoned genealogist, the Western Reserve Historical Society offers a wealth of resources for genealogy research, including seminars and classes, outstanding collections and more.
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The Library's diverse collections appeal to a wide spectrum of users including scholars, students, genealogists, historians, hobbyists, government, media, and others.
Learn More
