The transformation story continues at the History Center beginning May 1, 2015. With funds from the State of Ohio, and in partnership with Behnke Associates, Inc. and F. Buddie Contracting, WRHS will renovate the parking lot and exterior grounds leading to the Reinberger Plaza entrance at the History Center in University Circle. The improvements include a full facelift with improved access, new parking controls, and refreshed landscaping. This upgrade will improve guest access, safety and overall appearance of WRHS’s nearly 8-acre site in University Circle.

There will be a period during this process when access to the parking lot and the Reinberger entrance will be restricted. Limited accessible parking will be available at the half circle drive off East Blvd. Alternate parking can be found throughout University Circle and at the VA parking garage.

Guests are encouraged to consider taking advantage of the Circle Link shuttle transportation that circulates throughout Wade Oval.

DOWNLOAD A MAP OF SHUTTLE TRANSPORTATION HERE. Here’s more information from Circle Link on using the shuttle:

Circle Link Bus Route
Runs every 23 minutes from 6:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and every 35 minutes from noon to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Holiday hours may vary. Red Circles indicate shuttle stops along the route.

Commuter Shuttle
Scheduled every 15 minutes from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, but not major holidays. Blue Circles indicate shuttle stops along the route.

The Heights a.m. loop runs 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., Monday through Friday during the CWRU school year. No service is available on holidays or during breaks.

Evening Shuttle
Commuter shuttles run continuously from 5:15 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 5:15 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., Friday and Saturday. The CWRU North Campus buses arrive at designated stops approximately every 20 minutes. The South Campus buses arrive approximately every 25 minutes. South Loop route is highlighted in blue; North Loop route is highlighted in orange. Each circle indicates a shuttle stop on the route.

UCRC Shuttle
The UCRC shuttle runs to the CWRU BioEnterprise building and along Cedar Avenue. It arrives at designated stops approximately every 25 minutes from 6:15 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, but not major holidays. Stops are made on an on-call basis for Ronald McDonald House.

For continued updates on the parking lot renovation, follow WRHS on Facebook and Twitter.

Do you have valuables in your man cave? Have them appraised during Man Cave Trash or Treasure at WRHS History Center!
Appraisers available on-site for verbal valuations during one-day event April 11, 2015

Contact: Alyssa Purvis
apurvis@wrhs.org  –  (216) 721-5722 ext. 1407

CLEVELAND, OH – Have a shoebox of baseball cards? A signed jersey? Maybe even your grandfather’s military uniform? Considering bringing them to “Man Cave Trash or Treasure,”  a verbal appraisal event taking place on Saturday, April 11 at the WRHS History Center in University Circle.

Professional appraisers will be on-hand to provide verbal appraisals from 10 am to 4 pm. The History Center will remain open to the public until 5 pm. Visitors are welcome to bring up to 5 individual items or 2 collections (comic books, baseball cards, etc.) for verbal appraisals. In addition to the cost of admission ($10 adults, $5 children ages 3-12), each single item appraisal is $5 and each collection appraisal is $25. Items in the following categories will be accepted:

• Sports memorabilia
• Coins
• Stamps
• Militaria (no firearms, please)
• Toys and comics
• Trains

“We are thrilled to continue on with our signature appraisal day event this spring,” said Kelly Falcone-Hall, WRHS President & CEO. “This year’s theme ties directly into the recently extended 1964: When Browns Town was Title Town exhibit, which featured great sports memorabilia and allowed us to entertain the idea of a ‘man cave’ event for its visitors. We hope attendees can find value in some of the items that they have had in their possession for years; it’s intriguing to think of the stories behind some of the items that might come through our doors at the History Center on April 11.”

This year’s annual event features appraisers from Fusco’s Auctions, Great Lakes Coin & Jewelry, Milestone Auctions, Quaker Square Comics, and CW Trains, LLC. Representatives from the Siegel & Shuster Society will also be on site to discuss the developments of a Superman statue planned for the lakefront. The group is dedicated to promoting Cleveland as the place where Superman was created as well as the hometown of the two men who made him a reality.

Last year’s event, which featured Wes Cowan and his team from Cowan’s Auctions, welcomed nearly 300 guests. Visitors planning to attend are encouraged to pre-register in advance, either online or by calling (216) 721-5722 ext. 1502. Those who have questions about the acceptability of their items should call that same number.

For further updates, follow WRHS on Facebook and Twitter.

MEDIA ALERT

Western Reserve Historical Society extends popular Browns exhibit through June 2015

Where: WRHS History Center in University Circle – 10825 East Boulevard

Contact: Alyssa Purvis, Marketing Manager, apurvis@wrhs.org or (216) 721-5722 ext. 1407

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The Western Reserve Historical Society (WRHS) has announced that they will extend the popular 1964: When Browns Town was Title Town exhibit. The exhibit, which opened last September, will now be on display at the History Center through the end of June 2015.

“We’re excited to extend this great exhibit and keep celebrating the championship team of 1964,” said Kelly Falcone-Hall, President & CEO of WRHS. “The great programming around this exhibit has given us the opportunity to reach new audiences and realize the need to keep it alive for the next few months as more visitors discover what WRHS has to offer. A very special thank you also goes out to the private collectors who generously extended the loan of their collections in order to make this exhibit extension possible.”

1964: When Browns Town was Title Town pays homage to the 50^th anniversary of the 1964 Browns championship team. A wide range of Browns memorabilia relating to the championship team is included in the exhibit, including artifacts from private collectors, the Cleveland Browns, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. For more information on the exhibit, click here.

WRHS honored with 4-Star Ranking from Non-Profit Evaluator Charity Navigator

CLEVELAND, OH – For the second straight year, the Western Reserve Historical Society (WRHS) was awarded a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest and most utilized evaluator of charities.

WRHS is proud to be among this select group of high-performing charities earning the 4-star ranking. The ranking, which is given to only a quarter of the non-profits evaluated, is based on sound fiscal management, a commitment to accountability, and fiscal transparency.

“Supporters of the Western Reserve Historical Society should feel confident that their hard-earned dollars are being used efficiently and responsibly since it has achieved such an outstanding ranking on these important financial metrics,” said Ken Berger, President and CEO, Charity Navigator.

Since 2002, using data-driven analysis, Charity Navigator has awarded only the most fiscally responsible organizations a 4-star rating. In 2011, Charity Navigator added a second dimension of Accountability and Transparency (A&T) to its rating methodology, and now reviews 17 governance and ethical practices as well as measures of openness, providing information on its web site for each of the charities it evaluates.  The A&T metrics, which account for 50 percent of a charity’s overall rating, reveal which charities have “best practices” that minimize the chance of unethical activities and whether they freely share basic information about their organization with their donors and other stakeholders.

About Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org)

Charity Navigator is the largest charity evaluator in America and its website attracts more visitors than all other charity rating groups combined. The organization helps guide intelligent giving by evaluating the Financial Health and Accountability & Transparency of roughly 5,500 mid-to-large sized charities that garner roughly 50% of all private contributions made in the USA each year (not including houses of worship). Charity Navigator accepts no advertising or donations from the organizations it evaluates, ensuring unbiased evaluations, nor does it charge the public for this trusted data. As a result, Charity Navigator, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization itself, depends on support from individuals, corporations and foundations that believe it provides a much-needed service to America’s charitable givers. Charity Navigator, can be reached directly by telephone at (201) 818-1288, or by mail at 139 Harristown Road, Suite 201, Glen Rock, N.J., 07452.

 

“Spirit of Goodyear” Gondola to be Unveiled in WRHS Setting the World in Motion Exhibit
Goodyear’s donation of the blimp passenger compartment will be unveiled at the WRHS History Center on February 25, 2015

CLEVELAND, OH – The Setting the World in Motion exhibit at the WRHS History Center will soon have a newcomer: the donated gondola from the Spirit of Goodyear blimp. The gondola’s unveiling will take place at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at the WRHS History Center.

The gondola, which is the pilot and passenger compartment of the blimp, will be placed next to the recently opened Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel in the exhibit. At 23 feet long and 3,400 pounds, the gondola is now one of the largest artifacts in the Crawford Auto Aviation Museum.

“The addition of this gondola to the Setting the World in Motion exhibit will allow us to continue telling a complete story of the innovators and entrepreneurs of Northeast Ohio’s transportation history,” said Kelly Falcone-Hall, President and CEO of WRHS. “The deep ties to Northeast Ohio’s automobile and aviation industries created a natural partnership between WRHS and The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.”

Built in 1982, the blimp gondola saw service on three airships, logging more than 41,000 hours of flight during its 31 year history. From 1982-1992, it was mounted on the blimp America based in Spring, Texas; from 1992-1999 it was on the Stars & Stripes in Pompano Beach, Florida; and from 2000-2014 it served the Spirit of Goodyear blimp in Suffield, Ohio. In 2014, the Spirit of Goodyear retired from airship service and received recognition from the Guinness Book of World Records as “The Longest Continuous Use for a Blimp.”

The gondola appeared over some of the world’s largest sporting events such as the Super Bowl in 1990, 1994 and 1995, Major League Baseball World Series games in 1982, 1983 & 1984, The Kentucky Derby, the Daytona 500, U.S. Open tennis and golf, NCAA football, including the Cotton Bowl in 1990, NCAA Final Four basketball and NFL games. In addition, well-known celebrities, such as David Letterman and astronaut Dr. Sally Ride, have flown in the gondola.

The Crawford Auto Aviation Museum of the Western Reserve Historical Society depicts the automobile various stages of development, both on a national and regional level. In includes over 140 antique automobiles, 21 non-car transportation artifacts (motorcycles, bicycles, and boats), 10 aircraft, and 3 carriages and sleighs. The Collection is enhanced further by the WRHS Automotive Marque Files, which include automobile brochures, owner’s manuals, advertisements, and more.

Its automobiles and artifacts are the centerpieces of two major exhibits at the WRHS History Center in University Circle: Setting the World in Motion and REVolution: The Automobile in America.

Judge Leo A. Jackson Papers Now Available to Researches in Western Reserve Historical Society Library
Project funded by the United Black Fund now complete

Contact: Alyssa Purvis
apurvis@wrhs.org  –  (216) 721-5722 ext. 1407

CLEVELAND, OH – The Western Reserve Historical Society’s Library is pleased to announce the availability of the Leo A. Jackson Papers. The papers have been fully processed, cataloged, and are now open for research. Funded by generous support of the United Black Fund, this collection is a significant addition to the rich tapestry of African American history available at the Western Reserve Historical Society.

Serving Cleveland from the 1950s-1980s, Leo Albert Jackson (1920-1996) was an African American attorney, judge, and politician. A veteran who served in the U.S. Army, Jackson graduated from Morehouse College in 1943, and obtained a Master of Arts degree from Atlanta University in 1946.  He obtained his law degree from Cleveland Marshall College of Law in 1950. In 1957, he was elected to Cleveland City Council as the Ward 24 representative. He served there until 1970.

This collection is important in its depiction of Jackson and his experience as an African American community leader and city official. Through the papers, researchers get a strong sense of the government and political climate of Cleveland from the late 1950s-1970. Areas of interest profiled by the collection include housing and zoning concerns, racial tensions, relations with the police, the Hough Riots, and unrest in Glenville (including the Glenville Shootout), as well as how politics in the city was affected by these types of issues.

Recent national events which have (from Cleveland, to New York, to Ferguson) ignited racial tensions and brought police practices into question can also be explored through this specific collection. Researchers can follow Jackson’s career as an African American councilman and see how he applied and interpreted his experiences as he became a judge on Ohio’s Eighth District Court of Appeals in 1970. A full description and inventory of the collections is available online.

Jackson served three consecutive terms on the district court, twice as chief judge, and had a special assignment to the Ohio Supreme Court. He was active in many community organizations in the Cleveland area and received numerous awards for this work. He retired from the bench in 1987. Later, Judge Jackson would collapsed at the County Court House, and be pronounced dead at Lutheran Hospital on April 19, 1996.

During his council career representing Cleveland’s Glenville neighborhood, Jackson fought for civil rights, introduced gun control legislation, and was dedicated to community development in his ward. He faced controversy on racial issues as a moderate African American who did not ally with the black power movement. He was also active in the county, city, and state Democratic parties and involved in various local issues like the Cuyahoga County Charter debate.

Library Director, Richard Shrake, notes, “We are proud to provide access to the Judge Leo A. Jackson papers. This collection is important both in understanding the significance of Jackson’s influence and in helping the African American Archives continue to depict the many facets and contributions of Black History in Northeastern Ohio.”

Established in 1970, the African American Archives of the Western Reserve Historical Society are an ongoing initiative to collect, preserve, and make accessible materials that profile the African American experience in Northeast Ohio.

Celeste Terry, Director of Grants at the United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland states, “The United Black Fund of Greater Cleveland, Inc. is proud to have provided funding for archiving the papers of Judge Leo A. Jackson. Scholars, students and lovers of history will have access to documents that are historical, and that tell a narrative of the accomplishments of African Americans that shaped Cleveland. These archives chronicle the impact and influence their lives had on improving lives in the City of Cleveland. The African American Archives of the Western Reserve Historical Society is an important resource and institution in this community. It preserves and makes available a collection that details the contributions of prominent African Americans that people can learn about for many years to come.“

Newly Published Book, Five Generations: 175 Years of Love for Cleveland available for free at Western Reserve Historical Society

CLEVELAND, OH – Bob Gries, a retired venture capitalist and active philanthropist, recently added “Author” to his resume with Five Generations: 175 Years of Love for Cleveland. The recently completed book covers five generations of one family, and only includes those who spent their lives in Cleveland and made significant contributions to the city.

Generation One includes an immigrant who was the first Jewish settler in our city, had eleven children, and became a city councilman; Generation Two, an entrepreneur who created businesses and banks and saved the city from bankruptcy after the treasurer absconded the city’s funds; Generation Three, a Rabbi who entered college at age 13 and built the largest Sunday school in the world and a merchant who started and built May Company into the largest department store in the state; and Generation Four, founder of the Cleveland Rams and the Cleveland Browns football teams.

Copies of Five Generations: 175 Years of Love for Cleveland are available for no charge to the public at the WRHS History Center and in the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage’s Museum Store.

Western Reserve Historical Society Appoints New Library Director
Richard Shrake will oversee WRHS Research Library beginning in June 2014

Cleveland, OH— The Western Reserve Historical Society announced today that Richard Shrake will join the museum as the Director of the Research Library. Shrake, a native of Akron, Ohio, was most recently the Associate Librarian for Technical Services at the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Shrake has been a Certified Archivist since 2005 and is an active member of the Academy of Certified Archivists, serving on both the Nominations Committee and the Exam Development Committee. As a member of the Society of American Archivists, he has presented several papers and conducted workshops for a number of industry conferences.

“Having Richard joining the WRHS staff will magnify the presence of the WRHS archives in the community as well as provide greater cohesion and direction to the important initiatives facing the library. Libraries are undergoing monumental changes, and having an experienced director steeped in ‘best standards’ of the industry will assure the preservation of the priceless material we hold in our archives and the growth of the library in the future,” says Kelly Falcone-Hall, Interim CEO at WRHS. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Richard at the helm of the Research Library at this critical juncture in digital innovation, preservation challenges, tight budgets, and meeting the priorities within our Strategic Plan.”

The WRHS Research Library is home to over 4 million photos, countless community history archives, genealogy resources, and collections that span local and national history. In one of its most recent projects, the Research Library made over 2,800 finding aids available online through OhioLINK. OhioLINK is an online repository that allows anyone with a computer to access the digitized collections within an institution’s auspices. To date, WRHS is the institution that has contributed the most digitized finding aids to OhioLINK.

“I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to work with compelling collections and a dedicated staff while also getting to relocate to my hometown in Northeast Ohio,” said Shrake. “I am eager to become a part of WRHS’ legacy of encouraging discovery and understanding of the region’s history.”

Iconic Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel Restored to Life at the Western Reserve Historical Society
Grand Carousel will be open and ready for riders on Sunday, November 23 at WRHS History Center in University Circle
Contact: Alyssa Purvis – apurvis@wrhs.org

CLEVELAND, OH – Euclid Beach Park was a longstanding Cleveland icon, attracting locals, visitors from afar, and even presidential candidates to the shores of Lake Erie to enjoy the sights and sounds of one of the nation’s best-known amusement centers. When the park closed in 1969, the Carousel’s long journey back to Cleveland began and this year, on November 23, the Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel will operate once again at the Western Reserve Historical Society’s (WRHS) History Center in University Circle. Two rides are included with the cost of general admission: $10 for adults, $9 for seniors 62+, and $5 for children ages 3-12. Each additional ride will cost $3 and can be purchased on-site. Admission can be purchased online in advance, but rides will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Everyone involved in the restoration of the Grand Carousel has worked so hard to bring the pieces of this truly iconic landmark back to Cleveland,” said Kelly Falcone-Hall, President & CEO of WRHS. “The Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel will be the ultimate interactive exhibit and we are incredibly excited to have this piece of Cleveland’s history live on in the Carousel Pavilion at the History Center. The Carousel Pavilion, an all-weather glass addition that was designed specifically for the Carousel by Richard Fleischman + Partners Architects, Inc., is the ideal space to showcase the beauty and craftsmanship of the Carousel. To have what was known as the finest carousel ever made as part of the WRHS collections is an inclusion and responsibility we are proud to carry as the stewards of Northeast Ohio’s history.”

Built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1910, the Carousel that operated at Euclid Beach Park featured 58 hand-carved wooden horses, 54 of which still exist today and will be available to ride on the newly restored Carousel. In addition to the horses, visitors can experience rides on the Carousel in two chariots, one of which is a newly created chariot accessible to all and another that is original to the 1910 carousel. The second original chariot will be placed in the Carousel Pavilion as a photo opportunity for visitors. The restoration work on the Grand Carousel was done by Carousel Works in Mansfield, Ohio. Carousel Works is the largest manufacturer of wooden carousels in the world.

In June 2010, the relationship between The Cleveland Carousel Society, Euclid Beach Park Now, and WRHS was formed. The three institutions have been working together to fundraise and restore the Grand Carousel to its original splendor. The friends and supporters of the project will gather to experience its first turns on Saturday, November 22. More information about the Opening Celebration and continued sponsorship opportunities is available online. Tickets to the Opening Celebration are available to the public for purchase.

“The Western Reserve Historical Society is the perfect home for the Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel,” said John Frato, President of Euclid Beach Park Now. “WRHS is the repository for all of the important pieces from Cleveland’s history and there is no doubt that the Carousel is one of those pieces. At the History Center, the Carousel will once again be able to provide memories to families who rode it at Euclid Beach Park and touch a new generation of riders well into the future.”

In Grand Style Highlights Elegance and Affluence of Cleveland’s Past Through Fashions from the 1870s to the 1930s
NEW exhibit featuring 35 historic ensembles from the WRHS Costume & Textile Collection opens to the public Saturday, November 8
Contact: Alyssa Purvis – apurvis@wrhs.org

 CLEVELAND, OH – In the late 1800s, Cleveland was one of the great American cities. Much like New York’s social elite, its wealthy residents lived in high style. Elaborate customs and extravagant entertainments characterized the lifestyle, which required suitable wardrobes often acquired in Paris. Historic garments and accessories will soon be on display in a new exhibit at the Western Reserve Historical Society’s History Center, In Grand Style. These fashions from the 1870s to the 1930s provide a window into the world of privileged Cleveland.

In Grand Style, which opens to the public on Saturday, November 8, showcases luxury and local history. The exhibit, made possible by the Museum Advisory Council and The Payne Fund, features thirty-five ensembles drawn from the historic costume collection of WRHS. The ensembles span from the 1870s to the early 1930s, a period comparable to the one depicted in the popular PBS program, Downton Abbey.

“This exhibit really shows the concentration of wealth in Cleveland in the decades that followed the Civil War,” said Susan Neill, guest curator for In Grand Style. “The fashions of this period tended to be elaborate and dramatic and, frankly, were often very expensive. The pieces on display convey the grand lifestyles of Cleveland’s elite. Each ensemble reflects an individual’s taste and status and also shows the great lengths many went to in order to be well dressed.”

In Grand Style will feature women’s clothing along with several men’s and children’s ensembles to paint a picture of the entire family. Notable Clevelanders are represented throughout the exhibit, many of whom resided in impressive mansions on “Millionaire’s Row,” a stretch of about 40 residences on Euclid Avenue from East 12^th to East 55^th Streets. The area was home to some of the world’s most powerful industrialists and their families. Familiar people featured in the exhibit include fashion icon Phyllis Peckham, First Lady Lucretia Garfield, and the Wade family.

In addition to the garments in the exhibit, accessories such as exquisite fans, elegant shoes, and beaded bags will also be on display. Portraits of prominent Cleveland residents, some of whom are depicted in the displayed ensembles, will further demonstrate the high manner of living in Cleveland during the time period.

“The success and high visibility Dior & More – For the Love of Fashion, the previous fashion exhibit at the History Center, created a demand for more from the WRHS Costume & Textile Collection,” said Kelly Falcone-Hall, President & CEO of WRHS. “With In Grand Style, visitors will gain additional insight into the collection and see firsthand the style evolution that took place from the late 1800s to the first quarter of the 20^th century.”

In Grand Style will be housed in the Chisholm Halle Costume Wing at the WRHS History Center, which recently underwent improvements to help ensure the longevity of garments in future exhibits. Generously paid for by The Payne Fund, these improvements include a motion detector system to regulate lighting that will minimize its damaging effects on fabrics in the gallery. The exhibit will open November 8 and is free with general admission to the History Center.

Celebrate Fall at Hale Farm & Village’s Harvest Festival, Presented by Giant Eagle
October 4-5 and 11-12

BATH, Ohio—Autumn’s arrival is symbolized by crisp air and new vibrant colors that capture the wonder of a new season. The quickly arriving fall season produces some of the most beautiful scenery in the Cuyahoga Valley at Hale Farm & Village, home to the annual Harvest Festival, presented by Giant Eagle, Inc. From 10 am to 5 pm each day, the Harvest Festival gives visitors to Hale Farm their first taste of fall in a variety of ways, including:

• Apple butter churning
• Apple cider press
• Wagon rides
• Farm implements
• Johnny Appleseed appearance
• Pumpkin painting
• Corn maze
• Farmyard animals
• Food preservation talks

In the Hale Café visitors are able to enjoy a variety of different seasonal offerings such as locally brewed beer and wine, apple and pumpkin treats, kettle corn, and more. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 3-12, and free for WRHS members and children under the age of 2. The admission price to the Harvest Festival includes festival activities and access to the heritage gardens of Hale Farm as well as the always-available early American craft and trade demonstrations, which include glassblowing, blacksmithing, pottery, and spinning and weaving.

“Fall in the Cuyahoga Valley is a great time to enjoy the outdoors before the chill of winter,” said Jason Klein, site manager of Hale Farm. “The changing colors of the valley are the backdrop for a number of seasonal experiences including cider pressing, butter churning and the harvesting of crops .Other fun activities for the family include wagon rides, a corn maze and a pumpkin patch. As with all events at Hale Farm, the artisans will be creating handcrafted at Hale items and the historic buildings will be open for tours. It’s a great way to spend a beautiful fall day.”

In addition to the events of the festival each weekend, Hale Farm also hosts the Hale Harvest 5K on the morning of October 4^th. The three-mile loop course invites runners and walkers to experience the natural beauty of Hale Farm as they run along nature trails, through the Hale sugar bush, past historic houses, in farmyards, and across creeks. The top three finishers overall and the top male and female finishers per category receive handcrafted pieces from Hale Farm & Village’s early American craft and trade artisans. Registration is $25 per runner and includes free admission to the Harvest Festival on race day. Runners can register online by clicking here. For photos from last year’s race, click here.

The Marketplace at Hale Farm & Village will be open for shopping during all festival dates. The Marketplace features products handmade by the artisans at Hale Farm, including blown glass and pottery, and many other local items and seasonal souvenirs.

Hale Farm & Village, a living history museum of the Western Reserve Historical Society, is located on 90 acres with 32 historic structures, farm animals, heritage gardens, farming, and early American craft and trade demonstrations. The location is open on Saturdays and Sundays during the months of September and October. From November-May, the site is open for special programs and reservations only. Visit www.halefarm.org or call (330) 666-3711 ext. 1720 for seasonal hours, program listings, rental information, and turn-by-turn directions.

Exhibit Celebrates Thrilling 1964 Champions Cleveland Browns

NEW Exhibit 1964: When Browns Town was Title Town

Opening Saturday, September 6 at the WRHS History Center

CLEVELAND, OH – The Western Reserve Historical Society (WRHS) is launching an exhibit commemorating the 50th anniversary of the championship season of the Cleveland Browns. The new exhibit, 1964: When Browns Town was Title Town, focuses on the excitement the community felt as well as the team’s place in history as an underdog team unexpectedly won a championship in a crushing victory. Under Coach Blanton Collier, the Cleveland Browns beat the favored Baltimore Colts to win the NFL Championship 27-0 in front of over 79,000 fans on December 27, 1964.

A wide range of Browns memorabilia relating to the championship team will be included in the exhibition, which was initiated by avid Browns fans and guestcurators Kermit and Joyce Pike, who began their extensive collection with their season tickets and game-day memorabilia from1964. One of the special features of their collection is Browns football cards, including the number one Jim Brown Master Set on the Professional Sports Authenticators registry. After retiring from WRHS as Library Director and Chief Operating Officer, Pike added to his collection to include programs, pennants, autographed footballs, photographs, jerseys, and other souvenirs.

In addition to the Pike collection and WRHS archival material, the exhibit will feature items from the Cleveland Browns,
Pro Football Hall of Fame, Don Gries, and several other private collectors. The exhibit, with an emphasis on the some of the Pro Football Hall of Fame players who played on the 1964 team, is a multi-media experience with memory-rich artifacts of the championship game such as:

• Jim Brown’s contract with the Cleveland Browns signed October 31, 1964
• Championship game football signed by members of the team
• Championship game-worn jersey from #87, 23-year old Tom Hutchinson
• Helmet signed by members of the team
• Never-before exhibited recordings of the championship by Middleton Lambright
• Never-before exhibited sideline photographs by Charles Proctor, Cleveland photographer
• Offensive and Defensive playbooks from the 1964 and 1965 season
• Locker from the 1964 locker room
• Pennants of the era featuring “Brownie”
• Game programs from the 1964 season
• Seat from the stadium signed by team members
• Ticket box, tickets, and turnstile from Municipal Stadium, home of the championship Browns
• Topps and other exceptional trading cards featuring “Jimmy” Brown

Educational and community programs throughout the run of the exhibit featuring speakers, panels, and guest appearances will explore the larger history of the Browns franchise over the 50 years since the championship. They will paint a picture of what the city of Cleveland was like in 1964, a time of great social change and urban renewal. The exhibit runs September 6 through February 2015 at the History Center in University Circle. The exhibit opens with a Preview Party September 5, and a Tailgate Party September 6.

“The thrill of being able to see a championship ring, or the contract that Jim Brown signed with the Browns, or learning that at the time he was known as ‘Jimmy’ Brown, makes the story of the Browns more personal. Western Reserve Historical Society, through our collections and archives, has a vast wealth of material for the public to learn about the history of Cleveland, including our sports history,” said Ed Pershey, VP, Museum Special Projects and Exhibits. “This exhibit brings some of the ‘thrill of victory’ to the public and makes it more accessible through these wonderful pieces of Cleveland Browns history.”

“We are excited to have this exhibit launching at this thrilling time for the Cleveland Browns. With hometown hero, Brian Hoyer and the excitement around Johnny Manziel making headlines in the news, this is an ideal time to commemorate the heroes of 50 years ago from the 1964 championship. We are bringing that story to a new generation of Cleveland Browns fans,” said Kelly Falcone-Hall, President & CEO of WRHS.  “This exhibit speaks to the core of our mission and our work here, we are all about the history of Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, and we all know that Clevelanders are passionate sports fan—it’s part of our history—part of our story. If this sparks an interest in learning more about Cleveland, or a family history, or just cheering the Browns on to another championship, we’ll count that as a success.”

1964: When Browns Town was Title Town is made possible by the following sponsors and partners: PNC, University Hospitals, Ohio Savings Bank, a division of New York Community Bank, ESPN Cleveland, Lufthouse, and Buffalo Wild Wings. Donors include: Bob and Sally Gries, as well as Don and Mary Jo Dailey, Jack Herrick, John J. and Mary A. Jenkins, and Jim and Anne Schoff. Honorary Exhibit Co-Chairs include Bob and Sally Gries, Paul and Jill Clark, and Jimmy and Dee Haslam. Exhibit Co-Chairs are Jim and Anne Schoff.

The Victory of Self Will Capture the Civil Rights Movement of Northeast Ohio’s LGBT Community

Exhibit being constructed in honor of the 9^th Gay Games, coming to Cleveland August 9-16

Cleveland, OH— In San Francisco in 1982, Tom Waddell and 1,350 athletes from all over the world would make history in the most inspiring way in the first ever Gay Games. This year, the 9^th Gay Games will come to Cleveland and to commemorate their arrival, the Western Reserve Historical Society will unveil a new exhibit, The Victory of Self: The LGBT Community in Northeast Ohio.

The exhibit will be on display during regular museum hours beginning July 20, 2014. General admission costs apply—however, WRHS is pleased to extend a $2 discount to all Gay Games participants who produce credentials upon entry.

Objects, banners, photographs, newspapers, video recordings, and more from the WRHS LGBT Archives will come together to provide the visual background for the exhibit and touch upon a variety of aspects of the LGBT community’s history from the pre-Stonewall period to the present. Each aspect will contribute to the broader narrative of the cultural and social infrastructure of the community. WRHS is a community partner of the 9^th Gay Games.

“The true focus of this groundbreaking exhibit is to depict how the LGBT community of Northeast Ohio came together and became visible in their fight for equal rights, including today’s ongoing struggle for same-sex marriage,” said Dr. John Grabowski, Senior VP of Research and Publications at WRHS. “WRHS has a responsibility to preserve and tell the story of all of Northeast Ohio, and we are proud to continue doing so by displaying these important pieces of LGBT history. Our LGBT community archive project began in 1991 with the help of what is known today as the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland. Our hope is that the participants of the Gay Games 9 will come out to University Circle and learn about the history of the movement in Cleveland while they are in town.”

WRHS appreciates the support of Liz Roccoforte and the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center at Case Western Reserve University, Chris Rogers of Vision Video, and Phyllis Harris, Ryan Zymler and the staff at the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland in making the implementation of this exhibit possible.

Access to the exhibit is free with the price of general admission to the WRHS History Center: $10 adults, $5 children ages 3-12, and free for WRHS members.

About the Gay Games

The Gay Games is an international sporting and cultural event held every four years under the founding principles of Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best™. Launched in 1982, the Games invite participation from everybody regardless of sexual orientation, race, gender, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, political beliefs, athletic or artistic ability, age, physical challenge or health status.

The Games are intended to bring a global community together in friendship, to experience participation, to elevate consciousness and self-esteem, and to achieve a form of cultural and intellectual synergy. The Gay Games is open to anyone 18 years or older. About 10 percent of participants are from outside the LGBT community.

About the Western Reserve Historical Society

The Western Reserve Historical Society is the premier center for collecting, preserving, and sharing the history of Northeast Ohio.  As a testament to its financial solidarity, the organization has received the coveted four-star ranking from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. WRHS received a 70 out of 70 on “Accountability and Transparency” from the evaluation service, acknowledging the highest levels of financial stewardship and professionalism.

The History Center is located in Cleveland’s University Circle at 10825 East Boulevard. Museum hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm; Sunday, Noon to 5 pm. Admission is $10/adult, $9/senior 62+, and $5/child age 3-12. The Research Library is open Thursday – Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. Western Reserve Historical Society members and children two years and under are admitted free of charge. Group rates are available. The History Center is handicap accessible, with an elevator providing access to various levels of the museum.

CLEVELAND (May 5, 2014) – Following record-breaking attendance at Cleveland Metroparks
Zoo as part of its April centennial gift, the Cleveland Foundation announced today that its May
gift to the community – Cleveland Foundation Day on Wade Oval – will celebrate the longtime
support the foundation has provided to four cultural institutions in University Circle: Cleveland
Botanical Garden, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Museum of Natural History and
Western Reserve Historical Society. May 24 will be the first free Saturday ever for all four Wade
Oval institutions, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“We are pleased that our May centennial gift to the community will make the first-class
institutions on Wade Oval available to all Greater Clevelanders,” said Robert E. Eckardt,
executive vice president of the Cleveland Foundation. “This concentration of cultural institutions
is unmatched anywhere in the world. As part of Memorial Day weekend festivities, we invite the
community to take advantage of this cultural heart of our city.”

Each institution is offering something unique to visitors on Cleveland Foundation Day on Wade
Oval, in recognition of the nearly $50 million in collective support the foundation has provided
them throughout the past 100 years.

Because the Cleveland Museum of Art always offers free admission, the Cleveland Foundation
has made it possible for the museum to offer a special gift on May 24: all available public tickets
to the Van Gogh Repetitions exhibition will be free for the first 500 visitors. The special
exhibition is scheduled to close on May 25.

“The Cleveland Museum of Art is delighted to be among the great institutions included in
Cleveland Foundation Day on Wade Oval,” said Fred Bidwell, interim director of the Cleveland
Museum of Art. “The Cleveland Museum of Art and the Cleveland Foundation have a long and
rich history of collaboration, working to give back to the community. The museum is committed
to meaningful community engagement, and we are grateful to the Cleveland Foundation for its
significant support of our efforts.”

Cleveland Botanical Garden will debut its highly anticipated Nature Connects exhibit, which
will feature 14 LEGO brick sculptures depicting plants and animals.

“This will be the first time the Botanical Garden is able to offer free admission on the opening
day of a major attraction, and it’s thanks to our longtime partner, the Cleveland Foundation,”
said President Natalie Ronayne. “We celebrate the foundation’s generosity to the Garden and the
impact its support enables us to achieve in our community.”

As part of the Cleveland Foundation gift, free admission to the Cleveland Museum of Natural
History will include free entry to Shafran Planetarium for the first time ever.

“The Cleveland Foundation has been a longtime supporter of the Museum, especially our
education and science initiatives, and we are honored and delighted to be part of this historic
celebration of Cleveland’s legendary cultural district on Wade Oval,” said Dr. Evalyn Gates,
executive director and CEO. “The Cleveland Foundation’s gift to the community has allowed us
to open a window into the universe through free admission to the Shafran Planetarium, and to
invite the community to explore science and nature – past, present and future!”

For Cleveland Foundation Day, the Western Reserve Historical Society has extended its popular
Dior & More – For the Love of Fashion exhibit through May 25. WRHS will have curators and
experts available in the Crawford Auto Aviation Collection, as well as in other exhibits. Tour
guides in the Hay-McKinney House and the Research Library will answer questions from
visitors.

“Our mission includes sharing the history of Northeast Ohio with the public. This wonderful
opportunity provided by the Cleveland Foundation means we will be sharing with many more
people than we normally see in a day,” said Kelly Falcone-Hall, interim CEO. “We hold in our
archives the papers of the Cleveland Foundation, so we will select a number of beautiful
examples from the early days of the foundation for the public to view in our Research Library.”

On May 24, University Circle Inc. will offer free shuttle service between the Wade Oval
institutions and to/from both Louis Stokes VA Medical Center garages (the patient garage on
Magnolia Drive and the employee garage on E. 105th Street), which will be free to Cleveland
Foundation Day visitors. Traffic will be rerouted in one direction around the Oval to help with
flow. Visitors are being encouraged to carpool or take the RTA’s HealthLine to the Adelbert
Road or Ford Road station. For more information, go to www.rideRTA.com. For more details on Cleveland Foundation Day on Wade Oval, visit www.clevelandfoundation.org/WadeOval.

Many Greater Clevelanders have taken advantage of the foundation’s previous “Cleveland
Foundation Day” gifts to the community. Cleveland Foundation Day on the RTA on Jan. 16 led
to a 25 percent increase overall on RTA buses and trains. Cleveland Foundation Weekend on
North Coast Harbor on Feb. 22 and 23 brought a record 16,450 visitors to Great Lakes Science
Center, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum’s 8,000 visitors represented a 500
percent increase over a typical Sunday. March’s Cleveland Foundation Day at Cleveland
International Film Festival drew the biggest Monday audience in the Festival’s 37-year history,
with nearly 8,000 attendees. April’s Cleveland Foundation Day at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
drew a record-breaking 35,700 visitors.