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.

Speaking of Cleveland Talk & Tour | The Apollo Program

Speaking of Cleveland Talk & Tour | The Apollo Program

Between 1969 and 1972, twenty-one American astronauts left Earth’s orbit and voyaged to the moon as part of NASA’s Apollo Program. Twelve of those men walked on the lunar surface. Join Chief Curator Eric Rivet to discover the triumphs and tragedies of the Apollo Program and learn about the men and machines that made it possible for us to leave Earth. Then, take a tour of the Cleveland History Center’s core exhibit, Cleveland Starts Here, to see the artifacts that inspired this program.

This tour is available virtually through Zoom AND in-person at the Cleveland History Center.

Registration

Price: This tour is included with the cost of museum admission. (General Admission: $12 / WRHS Members: Free)

In-Person Tour: To purchase your tickets for the in-person tour, click here. You will be redirected to our ticketing website, where you may purchase admission for the day of the tour.

Virtual Tour: To register for the virtual version of the tour, use the options below. The virtual program will be held through the Zoom platform. When you register, you will be sent a confirmation containing your purchase receipt and all necessary login information.

Genealogy Committee Seminar | Navigating New York Research

Event Details:

Title: Navigating New York Research

Presenter: Jane E. Wilcox

Date/Time: Saturday, May 8, 2021, 9am-4pm

Format: Zoom

Cost: $10

Description:

Enjoy four presentations from the comfort of your own home to help you research your New York ancestors. The presentations cover records and repositories for both New York City and New York State.

Lecture descriptions:

The New York Gateway: Immigration, Emigration and Migration

New York has been the heart of U.S. immigration since the 1600s. Discover the origins of key immigrant and emigrant groups and settlers and where they went through 1940. Learn the New York migration routes and transportation modes that your New York ancestors may have taken. Putting your ancestors in the context of their times is key for researching them. Some research resources and ideas are featured.

New York City and State Governmental Vital Records

New York is a notoriously challenging state to find birth, death and marriage records. Navigating New York City and State governmental vital records requires a “quick sheet” to make sure you have looked in every possible place to find the indexes, the records and possible alternatives. Civil registration jurisdictions need to be clearly understood and considered, plus the key dates for laws and regulations that give context to what was actually collected, and when. And importantly, learn what is accessible today and how to order records.

Early Probate in New York: From Colonial Dutch and English to Statehood

New York has a notoriously complicated court system that affects all records, including early probate records which are of particular interest to genealogists. That New York’s probate system is difficult to navigate is an understatement. This talk will help demystify the first 225 years of estate records in New York (to 1848) by taking a journey to learn how and where to find wills and administrations through the centuries — from Dutch and English provinces to early New York State. We’ll explore Dutch notarial and provincial records, town records, and various court records including Mayor’s, Prerogative, Chancery, Common Pleas, Probate, and Surrogate’s and more found at the New York State Archives, county offices, online and more. Essential resources important for successful searching and examples using probate records will be featured.

Uncharted Waters: Diving into the Holdings of the New York State Archives

The New York State Archives (NYSA) at the Cultural Education Center in Albany holds a diverse collection of state governmental records. Come learn about both familiar and obscure resources that will help you advance your New York research. A demonstration for using the Finding Aids on the NYSA website will be featured to assist researchers in locating records at NYSA that could be pertinent to your family history.

For more info at lecture times, CLICK HERE.

Speaking of Cleveland Talk & Tour | Euclid Beach Park

Speaking of Cleveland Talk & Tour | Euclid Beach Park

Euclid Beach Park holds special memories for Clevelanders of all ages. Just what makes this park so very memorable? Join John Frato, Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel Training & Volunteer Coordinator, for this month’s Speaking of Cleveland Talk & Tour to find out!

First, learn about the story of Euclid Beach Park as we present our lecture, The Story of Euclid Beach Park. This presentation will cover the park’s history, from its beginnings in 1895 through its heyday and into its final days in 1969. Then, explore the iconic Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel like never before in a behind-the-scenes tour of the carousel at the Cleveland History Center. Get up-close with the colorful, hand-carved wooden horses and hand-painted scenes on the carousel’s exterior and take a peek into its inner workings while learning the story of its restoration.

This tour is available virtually through Zoom AND in-person at the Cleveland History Center. Spaces for the in-person event are limited, so reserve your spot today!

Registration

Price: $15 general admission / WRHS members FREE

You may register using the options below. This event will be held through the Zoom platform and live at the Cleveland History Center. When you register, you will be sent a confirmation containing your purchase receipt and all necessary login information.

Sales for in-person tickets will end at 12:30pm on the day of the event; tickets for the virtual experience will be available until the start of the event (6:00pm).

Virtual Panel Discussion | Slovenian Neighborhoods of Cleveland

Cleveland is home to the largest settlement of Slovenians outside of Europe. Slovenian-Americans took advantage of the resources the city made available to them to build families and institutions and develop a lively cultural scene. Each of the city’s Slovenian neighborhoods was anchored by an imposing cultural Hall or majestic church (or both), surrounded by tidy homes and thriving businesses. Many high-profile Clevelanders emerged from those neighborhoods to leave their mark on the city. Joe Valencic talks about these remarkable individuals, as well as why Slovenians chose Cleveland and what set each neighborhood apart. Dr. John Grabowski reviews the impact immigration had on the growth of the city and what this particular nationality contributed to the city.

Registration

Price: $15 general admission / $10 WRHS member admission

You may register using the options below. This event will be held through the Zoom platform. When you register, you will be sent a confirmation containing your purchase receipt and all necessary login information.

Speaking of Cleveland Tour | Hay-McKinney Mansion

Speaking of Cleveland Tour | Hay-McKinney Mansion

The Cleveland History Center’s signature lecture series, Speaking of Cleveland, invites participants to take a front-row seat as our experts share significant stories that capture the Cleveland spirit. Each month, join our staff as we explore the intriguing, curious, and oft-forgotten tales from Cleveland’s past. Pulled directly from the nationally recognized collections of the Western Reserve Historical Society, these stories showcase the innovation, the grit and the pride that characterize Cleveland’s past, present and future.

This Month’s Program

The Hay-McKinney Mansion is 20,000 square foot, Italian Renaissance Revival home, located in the fashionable Wade Allotment. Only briefly inhabited, this living museum tells the stories of Mrs. Clara Hay, the McKinney family, and prominent Clevelanders who built a city through savvy entrepreneurship and generous philanthropy. The home is now furnished with period artifacts from the WRHS collections, each room laid out as it might have been in the late 18th and early 19th century. The mansion is a picture of a city’s rise and the men and women who shaped it.

This tour is available virtually through Zoom AND in-person at the Cleveland History Center. Spaces for the in-person tour are limited, so reserve your spot today!

Don’t miss our corresponding virtual lecture, Stories from Millionaires’ Row, on April 21! Register for both events below and save on your admission!

Registration

Price: $15 general admission / $10 WRHS member admission

Speaking of Cleveland Combo Ticket (includes tour and lecture): $25 general admission / $15 WRHS member admission

Speaking of Cleveland | Stories from Millionaires’ Row

Speaking of Cleveland | Stories from Millionaires’ Row

This Month’s Program

Declared “the most beautiful street in America,” Euclid Avenue was once home to powerful families who not only shaped Cleveland, but national politics and industry, as well. Hear their stories as you take a walk down Euclid Avenue in the 19th Century and learn about the beautiful art and architecture of their homes.

Don’t miss our corresponding virtual tour of the Hay-McKinney Mansion on April 15! Register for both events below and save on your admission!

Registration

Price: $15 general admission / $10 WRHS member admission

Speaking of Cleveland Combo Ticket (includes tour and lecture): $25 general admission / $15 WRHS member admission

Speaking of Cleveland | Battle for the Ballot: Cleveland’s Suffragist Movement

Speaking of Cleveland | Battle for the Ballot: Cleveland’s Suffragist Movement

This Month’s Program

There is no complete record of the brave, often unnamed women who fought for their right to vote and finally triumphed in 1920. Learn about a band of women who dedicated themselves to the public interest and grew into an organization that won the respect and confidence of the nation. This program will tell the story behind the Cleveland women who advocated for suffrage and went on to help establish the League of Women Voters.

Don’t miss our corresponding virtual tour of our newest exhibit, Women & Politics, on March 10! Register for both events below and save on your admission!

Registration

Price: $15 general admission / $10 WRHS member admission

Speaking of Cleveland Combo Ticket (includes tour and lecture): $25 general admission / $15 WRHS member admission

Speaking of Cleveland Virtual Tour | Women & Politics

Speaking of Cleveland Virtual Tour | Women & Politics

This Month’s Tour

Presented by PNC and WRHS in collaboration with the League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland, Women and Politics is a virtual exhibit that traces the story of women’s empowerment, explores the early days of the suffragist movement, examines the successful fight for the 19th Amendment, and celebrates the birth and growth of the League of Women Voters as a force for clean government and the election of northern Ohio women to positions of power.

Don’t miss our corresponding virtual lecture, Battle for the Ballot: Cleveland’s Suffragist Movement, on March 17! Register for both events below and save on your admission!

Registration

Price: $15 general admission / $10 WRHS member admission

Speaking of Cleveland Combo Ticket (includes tour and lecture): $25 general admission / $15 WRHS member admission

Speaking of Cleveland | The History of Hough Bakery

Speaking of Cleveland | The History of Hough Bakery

This Month’s Program

This program traces the history of Hough Bakery, a beloved local business, from its founding in 1903 to its momentous closure in 1992. With photographs and materials from the Hough Bakery archives held by WRHS, explore the growth and expansion of the company in the mid-twentieth century, and remember the magnificent products the bakery produced that live on today in the treasured memories of Clevelanders.

Registration

Price: $15 general admission / $10 WRHS member admission

Speaking of Cleveland | Praying Grounds: African American Faith Communities

Speaking of Cleveland | Praying Grounds: African American Faith Communities

This Month’s Program

African American faith communities have long served as influential centers of social and religious activities. In this presentation, historian and author Regennia N. Williams will discuss the evolving role of religion in Black America, based on her ongoing research for the Praying Grounds Oral History Project and her books and other publications, including Cleveland, Ohio and “Race, Religion, and Reconciliation: Academic Initiatives, Leadership Development, and Social Change.”

Registration

Price: $15 general admission / $10 WRHS member admission

Speaking of Cleveland | Italian American Life in Cleveland

Speaking of Cleveland | Italian American Life in Cleveland

This Month’s Program

Today, Cleveland is home to a vibrant Italian American community that has grown over decades of immigration. Explore Italian immigration to the city from the late 19th Century through the present day, with a focus on life in the Italian neighborhoods.

Registration

Price: $15 general admission / $10 WRHS member admission

You may register using the options below. This event will be held through the Zoom platform. When you register, we will email you a link that will allow you to join the course, as well as all necessary login information and instructions.

Speaking of Cleveland | Ghosts of Christmas Past

Speaking of Cleveland | Ghosts of Christmas Past

This Month’s Program

Enjoy a true Victorian holiday season and explore the ghosts and folklore that shaped 19th Century holidays in Cleveland. Whether you view them as creepy superstitions or tales with hidden wisdom, these stories are made to entertain and will leave you looking at holiday traditions in a whole new way.

Registration

Price: $15 general admission / $10 WRHS member admission

Speaking of Cleveland | Ohio’s Presidential Past

Speaking of Cleveland | Ohio’s Presidential Past

This Month’s Program

Ohio is sometimes called the Mother of Presidents, and it is claimed that the state has produced more U.S. presidents than any other state. Join Chief Curator Eric Rivet to learn about the truth behind this claim and to hear stories about the men from Ohio that have held the nation’s highest elected office.

Registration

Price: $15 general admission / $10 WRHS member admission

Speaking of Cleveland | Eliot Ness & the Torso Murders

Speaking of Cleveland | Eliot Ness & the Torso Murders

This Month’s Program

While acting as Cleveland’s Safety Director, Eliot Ness made great improvements in our infrastructure that created a lasting legacy for the city. However, in these same years, Ness would come head-to-head with a series of heinous crimes – the Torso Murders. Explore the famous case that is still considered unsolved to this day, and learn about the Cleveland of Eliot Ness.

Registration

Price: $15 general admission / $10 WRHS member admission