Dream Town – Laura Meckler

Can a group of well-intentioned people fulfill the promise of racial integration in America?

In this searing and intimate examination of the ideals and realities of racial integration, award-winning Washington Post journalist Laura Meckler tells the story of a decades-long pursuit in Shaker Heights, Ohio, and uncovers the roadblocks that have threatened progress time and again―in housing, in education, and in the promise of shared community.

In the late 1950s, Shaker Heights began groundbreaking work that would make it a national model for housing integration. And beginning in the seventies, it was known as a crown jewel in the national move to racially integrate schools. The school district built a reputation for academic excellence and diversity, serving as a model for how white and Black Americans can thrive together. Meckler―herself a product of Shaker Heights―takes a deeper look into the place that shaped her, investigating its complicated history and its ongoing challenges in order to untangle myth from truth. She confronts an enduring, and troubling, question―if Shaker Heights has worked so hard at racial equity, why does a racial academic achievement gap persist?

In telling the stories of the Shakerites who have built and lived in this community, Meckler asks: What will it take to fulfill the promise of racial integration in America? What compromises are people of all races willing to make? What does success look like, and has Shaker achieved it? The result is a complex and masterfully reported portrait of a place that, while never perfect, has achieved more than most and a road map for communities that seek to do the same.

Includes black-and-white images.

*Part of the 2023-2024 By the Book series.

Pricing Details:

Non-Member-

Purchase the book from us and get half price of 1 admission to this event and access to the virtual book presentation via code provided at checkout.

Member-

Purchase the book at 10% off from our gift shop, and get free admission to this event and virtual access to the book presentation free.

Members save 10% on all museum store purchases!

Interested in becoming a member?

9.28.23 William Krejci Lost Ghost Stories of Cleveland

10.5.23 Carlo Wolff Invisible Soul: Uncovering Cleveland’s Underground Soul Scene

1.18.24 Laura Meckler DREAM TOWN: Shaker Heights and the Quest for Racial Equity

2.22.24 Stay tuned for details!

3.23.24 Family Friendly Finale – Stay tuned for details!

*Event prices and times may vary, check specific event page for more information.

Fashion After Dark Exhibit Opening

Join us for the opening ceremony of our newest exhibit, Fashion After Dark. Enjoy drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and live music with special remarks from Patty Edmonson, Museum Advisory Council Curator of Costume & Textiles.

Event Highlights:

  • Hors d’oeuvres
  • Open Bar
  • Tour of the exhibit
  • Access to museum galleries
  • Special playing of music box

 

About the Exhibition:

Fashion After Dark explores the relationship between fashion and artificial light, beginning with the introduction of gas in Cleveland during the 1840s. This exhibition simulates the atmosphere of an evening on Euclid Avenue through fashion, interiors, lighting, and sound.

Imagine a visual feast of shimmering silks, dazzling sequins, and sparkling gemstones. In the 19th century, gaslight brought eveningwear to life in an otherworldly way. Daylight stood in such stark contrast that some shops even offered specially-lit rooms for choosing silks, and style writers recommended the best colors and fabrics for gaslight in particular. Below stairs, working people kept homes with new lighting technologies running. Each room presents a time period and a theme in order to bring the story of fashion and lighting to life.

 

 

 

Talk & Tours: The Story of Euclid Beach Park

The Story of Euclid Beach Park

Food, rides, and attractions. Why is Euclid Beach Park so very memorable? Join Carousel Volunteer & Training Coordinator John Frato to learn about its beginnings in 1895 and reminisce about its heyday, as well as its final days in 1969. Relive those special memories that Euclid Beach Park holds for Clevelanders, then embark on a short gallery tour to learn more about the real-life artifacts that inspired this program – including our Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel!

FREE with museum admission; Members FREE.

Interested in learning more about Northeast Ohio’s fascinating history? Click here to book a Speaking of Cleveland program today.

Black History on Tap: The Living Legacy of Leo’s Casino

Join us for an after-hours party honoring the legendary Leo’s Casino nightclub! Guests will immerse themselves in 1960’s Cleveland and enjoy the sights and sounds of the famous R&B and Jazz club. Event features include live music, archival images of the Legends that rocked Leo’s stage, themed activities, and a unique look at Cleveland’s past from the decade. Stay tuned to social media to learn more about our event partners and highlights!

 

ADMISSION:

$15 member open bar wristband  (Advance online purchase only)

$25 non-member open bar wristband (Advance online purchase only)

 

DAY OF – Regular admission prices

$12 adults

$10 seniors

$6 kids

FREE for WRHS Members

 

Beverage Cost:

$7 cocktail

$5 wine

$4 GLBC bottle beer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here for a full list of upcoming History on Tap dates

Talk & Tour: Suffragists of the Western Reserve

Join us at 2:00pm every Wednesday and Saturday from June through August at the Cleveland History Center to enjoy highlights from some our favorite Cleveland stories followed by a short gallery tour to learn more about some of the real-life artifacts that inspired these programs!

FREE with museum admission; Members FREE.

Dates not available: Parade the Circle 6/8 & Euclid Beach Park Day 7/20

 

This Talk & Tour: Suffragists of the Western Reserve

Come share in the history of strong women who have led the Western Reserve in independent thinking!

 

Interested in learning and hearing more about Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River or other fascinating pieces of Northeast history? Click here to book a Speaking of Cleveland program today.

Smithsonian Channel Screening: The Day We Walked on the Moon

1969, orbiting Earth, three astronauts Michael Collins, Neil Armstrong, and Buzz Aldrin set out on a likely death mission that could only end in one of three ways: land, abort, or crash.

Join us Saturday, July 20th to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11  moon landing with a special screening of  Smithsonian Channel’s The Day We Walked on the Moon.

This special screening will be available for multiple viewings throughout the day and is free with museum admission.

 

Talk & Tours: Eliot Ness’s Cleveland

Join us at 2:00pm every Wednesday and Saturday from June through August at the Cleveland History Center to enjoy highlights from some our favorite Cleveland stories followed by a short gallery tour to learn more about some of the real-life artifacts that inspired these programs!

FREE with museum admission; Members FREE.

This Talk & Tour: Eliot Ness’s Cleveland 

Step into post-prohibition Cleveland and learn about the forces that corrupted the city, causing the mayor to reach out to the then famously uncorrupt-able Eliot Ness to lead the city as Safety Director.

 

Interested in learning and hearing more about Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River or other fascinating pieces of Northeast history? Click here to book a Speaking of Cleveland program today.

Talk & Tours: Eliot Ness’s Cleveland

Join us at 2:00pm every Wednesday and Saturday from June through August at the Cleveland History Center to enjoy highlights from some our favorite Cleveland stories followed by a short gallery tour to learn more about some of the real-life artifacts that inspired these programs!

FREE with museum admission; Members FREE.

This Talk & Tour: Eliot Ness’s Cleveland 

Step into post-prohibition Cleveland and learn about the forces that corrupted the city, causing the mayor to reach out to the then famously uncorrupt-able Eliot Ness to lead the city as Safety Director.

 

Interested in learning and hearing more about Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River or other fascinating pieces of Northeast history? Click here to book a Speaking of Cleveland program today.

Talk & Tours: Stories From Millionaires Row

Join us at 2:00pm every Wednesday and Saturday from June through August at the Cleveland History Center to enjoy highlights from some our favorite Cleveland stories followed by a short gallery tour to learn more about some of the real-life artifacts that inspired these programs!

FREE with museum admission; Members FREE.

This Talk & Tour: Stories From Millionaires Row

Explore Euclid Avenue’s heyday—it’s famous residents and the beautiful art & architecture they surrounded themselves in.

 

Interested in learning and hearing more about Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River or other fascinating pieces of Northeast history? Click here to book a Speaking of Cleveland program today.

Talk & Tours: Stories From Millionaires Row

Join us at 2:00pm every Wednesday and Saturday from June through August at the Cleveland History Center to enjoy highlights from some our favorite Cleveland stories followed by a short gallery tour to learn more about some of the real-life artifacts that inspired these programs!

FREE with museum admission; Members FREE.

This Talk & Tour: Stories From Millionaires Row

Explore Euclid Avenue’s heyday—its famous residents and the beautiful art & architecture they surrounded themselves in.

 

Interested in learning and hearing more about Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River or other fascinating pieces of Northeast history? Click here to book a Speaking of Cleveland program today.

Talk & Tours: Tales from the Cleveland State Hospital

Join us at 2:00pm every Wednesday and Saturday from June through August at the Cleveland History Center to enjoy highlights from some our favorite Cleveland stories followed by a short gallery tour to learn more about some of the real-life artifacts that inspired these programs!

FREE with museum admission; Members FREE.

This Talk & Tour: Tales from the Cleveland State Hospital 

Step back in time to the 1950s and discover the seedy truth of the Cleveland State Hospital through a Cleveland Press expose of their practices and mental health treatment.

 

Interested in learning and hearing more about Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River or other fascinating pieces of Northeast history? Click here to book a Speaking of Cleveland program today.

Talk & Tours: Tales from the Cleveland State Hospital

Join us at 2:00pm every Wednesday and Saturday from June through August at the Cleveland History Center to enjoy highlights from some our favorite Cleveland stories followed by a short gallery tour to learn more about some of the real-life artifacts that inspired these programs!

FREE with museum admission; Members FREE.

This Talk & Tour: Tales from the Cleveland State Hospital 

Step back in time to the 1950s and discover the seedy truth of the Cleveland State Hospital through a Cleveland Press expose of their practices and mental health treatment.

 

Interested in learning and hearing more about Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River or other fascinating pieces of Northeast history? Click here to book a Speaking of Cleveland program today.

Talk & Tours: The Stokes Brothers’ Legacy

Join us at 2:00pm every Wednesday and Saturday from June through August at the Cleveland History Center to enjoy highlights from some our favorite Cleveland stories followed by a short gallery tour to learn more about some of the real-life artifacts that inspired these programs!

FREE with museum admission; Members FREE.

 

THIS TALK & TOUR: The Stokes Brothers’ Legacy

Explore the Stokes Brothers exhibit on their early lives and careers and hear about the brothers’ lasting legacy in Cleveland and beyond.

 

Interested in learning and hearing more about Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River or other fascinating pieces of Northeast history? Click here to book a Speaking of Cleveland program today

Talk & Tours: The Stokes Brothers’ Legacy

Join us at 2:00pm every Wednesday and Saturday from June through August at the Cleveland History Center to enjoy highlights from some our favorite Cleveland stories followed by a short gallery tour to learn more about some of the real-life artifacts that inspired these programs!

FREE with museum admission; Members FREE.

 

THIS TALK & TOUR: The Stokes Brothers’ Legacy

Explore the Stokes Brothers exhibit on their early lives and careers and hear about the brothers’ lasting legacy in Cleveland and beyond.

 

Interested in learning and hearing more about Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River or other fascinating pieces of Northeast history? Click here to book a Speaking of Cleveland program today

Talk & Tours: Garret Morgan Invents

Join us at 2:00pm every Wednesday and Saturday from June through August at the Cleveland History Center to enjoy highlights from some our favorite Cleveland stories followed by a short gallery tour to learn more about some of the real-life artifacts that inspired these programs!

FREE with museum admission; Members FREE.

This Talk & Tour: Garret Morgan Invents

Do you know about Cleveland’s Civic-Minded inventor Garret Morgan? Learn about the man whose inventions helped a city and would shape a nation—despite intense racial discrimination.

 

Interested in learning and hearing more about Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River or other fascinating pieces of Northeast history? Click here to book a Speaking of Cleveland program today.

Talk & Tours: Garret Morgan Invents

Join us at 2:00pm every Wednesday and Saturday from June through August at the Cleveland History Center to enjoy highlights from some our favorite Cleveland stories followed by a short gallery tour to learn more about some of the real-life artifacts that inspired these programs!

FREE with museum admission; Members FREE.

This Talk & Tour: Garret Morgan Invents

Do you know about Cleveland’s Civic-Minded inventor Garret Morgan? Learn about the man whose inventions helped a city and would shape a nation—despite intense racial discrimination.

 

Interested in learning and hearing more about Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River or other fascinating pieces of Northeast history? Click here to book a Speaking of Cleveland program today.

Talk & Tours: Euclid Beach Park

Join us at 2:00pm every Wednesday and Saturday from June through August at the Cleveland History Center to enjoy highlights from some our favorite Cleveland stories followed by a short gallery tour to learn more about some of the real-life artifacts that inspired these programs!

FREE with museum admission; Members FREE.

This Talk & Tour: Euclid Beach Park 

This unique highlights tour with Euclid Beach Park expert John Frato focuses on stories and memories from the famous park while highlighting many pieces in the museum collection—including the 109 year old Grand Carousel from Euclid Beach Park! This tour is offered on Wednesday 7/17 only, in preparation for the Euclid Beach Park Day on Sat., July 20th.

 

Interested in learning and hearing more about Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River or other fascinating pieces of Northeast history? Click here to book a Speaking of Cleveland program today.

Talk & Tours: Cleveland Shops

Join us at 2:00pm every Wednesday and Saturday from June through August at the Cleveland History Center to enjoy highlights from some our favorite Cleveland stories followed by a short gallery tour to learn more about some of the real-life artifacts that inspired these programs!

FREE with museum admission; Members FREE.

This Talk & Tour: Cleveland Shops

Cleveland’s Department stores enjoyed an era of glamour, beauty, and power. Explore their stories through the artifacts that were bought and sold in the city—including some of the beautiful dresses & accessories in the brand new Si Jolie exhibit!

 

Interested in learning and hearing more about Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River or other fascinating pieces of Northeast history? Click here to book a Speaking of Cleveland program today.

Talk & Tours: Cleveland Shops

Join us at 2:00pm every Wednesday and Saturday from June through August at the Cleveland History Center to enjoy highlights from some our favorite Cleveland stories followed by a short gallery tour to learn more about some of the real-life artifacts that inspired these programs!

FREE with museum admission; Members FREE.

This Talk & Tour: Cleveland Shops

Cleveland’s Department stores enjoyed an era of glamour, beauty, and power. Explore their stories through the artifacts that were bought and sold in the city—including some of the beautiful dresses & accessories in the brand new Si Jolie exhibit!

 

Interested in learning and hearing more about Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River or other fascinating pieces of Northeast history? Click here to book a Speaking of Cleveland program today.

Talk & Tours: Suffragists of the Western Reserve

Join us at 2:00pm every Wednesday and Saturday from June through August at the Cleveland History Center to enjoy highlights from some our favorite Cleveland stories followed by a short gallery tour to learn more about some of the real-life artifacts that inspired these programs!

FREE with museum admission; Members FREE.

Dates not available: Parade the Circle 6/8 & Euclid Beach Park Day 7/20

This Talk & Tour: Suffragists of the Western Reserve

Come share in the history of strong women who have led the Western Reserve in independent thinking!

 

Interested in learning and hearing more about Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River or other fascinating pieces of Northeast history? Click here to book a Speaking of Cleveland program today.