Cleveland Civics History Series | What Happened to the Whittlesey? And Other Tales of Northern Ohio Precontact Archaeology

Lecturer: Brian G. Redmond, Curator and John Otis Hower Chair of Archaeology, Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Date: April 22, 2021

Time: 7:00pm

About the Event: One of the most interesting problems for those who study the archaeology of northern Ohio has to do with the apparent out-migration of Native American societies after A.D. 1650. Known to archaeologists as the “Whittlesey” and “Sandusky” traditions, these late precontact groups thrived along the rivers and lakeshore of northern Ohio then apparently left the area virtually unoccupied for almost a century. Who were these people? Where did they go? Why did they leave? Who did they become at the dawn of written history? This presentation will discuss the archaeological and ethnohistorical evidence bearing on these questions and offer some hypotheses as to the ultimate fate of the last indigenous people of northern Ohio.

RSVP Here: https://cwru.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kxd-gk9ESzmp2qj2dwlOuw

The Cleveland Civics History Series is sponsored by the Cleveland History Center, Siegal Lifelong Learning Program at Case Western Reserve University, and the League of Women Voters – Greater Cleveland.

Virtual Presentation | Who Names the Neighborhood? A Question of Identity

Presenter: John Grabowski, PhD, WRHS Senior Vice President, Research & Publications; Krieger Mueller Historian

About This Program

Cleveland’s neighborhoods have, and have had, an intriguing series of names – from Kamm’s Corners to Dutch Hill and Little Italy and now to Hingetown. Some names have been around for over a century, others are new. Neighborhood identity is something many take for granted, yet the story of names and name changes for areas within the city opens a deeper story. Who, for instance, gets to choose the name – the people who live in the area, or city officialdom? Why, when and how have the identities of neighborhoods been altered simply the ascription of a new name? When did the original “organic” borders of neighborhoods become straight lines on a map? This session will explore the history of Cleveland’s neighborhoods by looking at the broader story of their identities over time and the manner in which name changes have been influenced both by shifting demography, politicians, developers, and urban planners.

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.

Cleveland Civics History Series | Cultural and Political Sources of Cleveland’s Great Cultural and Civic Institutions

Lecturer: David Hammack, Hiram C. Haydn Professor of History Emeritus, CWRU

Date: March 23, 2021

Time: 7:00pm

About the Event: Why is Greater Cleveland home to so many notable private institutions? The Cleveland Orchestra and the Cleveland Museum of Art both make persuasive claims to be among the very best in the United States. University Hospitals and the Cleveland Clinic give the region two nationally-notable medical systems. The city’s religious and nondenominational social welfare charities have for more than 100 years been national leaders in raising money and developing effective responses to new challenges. University Circle constitutes a university-cultural district surpassed by just a handful of cities in the United States. This lecture will explore the cultural, economic, and political sources of the region’s extraordinary private institutions.

RSVP Here: https://cwru.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JInVRU5WSimrcLN70fa9nw

POSTPONED: Speaking of Cleveland | Black Innovators of Northeast Ohio (For Kids K-5)

Speaking of Cleveland | Black Innovators of Northeast Ohio (For Kids K-5)

This event has been postponed. Please check back soon for a reschedule date!

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

How did African-American inventors and entrepreneurs impact the history of Northeast Ohio? In this program, geared toward grades K-5, students will learn about three black Clevelanders — Garrett Morgan, Alonzo Wright, and Amanda Wicker — who improved the city through their commitments to innovation, education, and community. Students will reflect on the contributions of these community leaders in order to identify problems and imagine solutions to issues in their lives. (All registrants are asked to have blank paper and markers/crayons/colored pencils on hand when they sign on for the program.)

Registration

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

Cleveland Civics History Series | Battle for the Ballot: Cleveland’s Suffragist Movement

Lecturer: Dr. Mary Manning, PreK-12 Education Coordinator, Western Reserve Historical Society

Date: Tuesday, February 23

Time: 7:00pm

About the Event: There is no complete record of the brave, often unnamed women who fought for their right to vote and finally triumphed in 1920. In conjunction with the Women & Politics exhibition at the Cleveland History Center, learn about a band of Northeast Ohio women who dedicated themselves to the public interest and grew into an organization that won the respect and confidence of the nation through the photographs, fashions, newspaper reports, and pamphlets they and their opponents left behind. This program will tell the story behind the local women who advocated for suffrage and went on to help establish the League of Women Voters.

RSVP Here: https://cwru.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BERUkSx2S9a5uvwFWrPpCQ

Cleveland Civics History Series | Charles Waddell Chesnutt: The Civic Life of a Cleveland Creative (c. 1899-1929)

Lecturer: Dr. Regennia N. Williams, Distinguished Scholar of African American History and Culture

Date: Tuesday, February 16

Time: 7:00pm

About the Event: In the life and work of Charles Waddell Chesnutt, we find the threads that weave together much of the story of early twentieth-century African American leadership in Cleveland and many of the challenges associated with living life along the ever-present color line. A celebrated writer and successful business owner, Chesnutt was also known for his activism and reform efforts. This presentation will consider both his literary life and his work in civic affairs, from the turn of the century through the “New Negro Movement” of the 1920s.

RSVP Here: https://cwru.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AUVj1jvvT6Ock1GE0xW9cA

Virtual Tours | Carl & Louis Stokes: Making History

Immerse yourself in the stories and lives of Northeast Ohio’s past and present heroes when you sign up for CHC’s live Zoom presentation and walkthrough of Carl & Louis Stokes: Making History, an exhibit that honors Mayor Carl B. Stokes and his brother, Congressman Louis Stokes.

In this free program, guests are invited to explore the exhibit in a guided virtual tour, where we will be discussing the political careers of Carl and Louis Stokes in light of broader issues of African-American and American urban history. While the exhibit celebrates the achievements of Carl and Louis Stokes, it also uses their experiences to reflect on and explore topics such as the Civil Rights Movement, social and economic disparity and the rise and importance of heroes and exemplars.

Tours will be held at 11:00am and 2:00pm. Admission is free, but registration is required in order to access the Zoom link. You may register and select your tour time below.

About Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at WRHS

Every year, the Cleveland History Center (CHC), headquarters of the Western Reserve Historical Society (WRHS), commemorates and celebrates the history, spirit, and life of one of America’s greatest heroes of social justice and equality – Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year, the CHC continues it’s commitment by creating a unique online Martin Luther King, Jr. Day experience. Enjoy this curated collection of free digital programs, activities, and content you can safely explore from home! Click here to learn more.

Cleveland Civics History Series | Women & Philanthropy: The Monied Women of Cleveland and Their Impact

Women and Philanthropy: The Monied Women of Cleveland and Their Impact

Presenter: Dr. Einav Rabinovitch-Fox, Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of History, Case Western Reserve University

Date: Thursday, December 3

Time: 7:00 pm

About the Event: This talk will examine the role of the Wade family women and their milieu in shaping the culture of philanthropy and the Settlement Movement in late nineteenth century Cleveland.

RSVP here: https://cwru.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VoURYKsXTRqjC57O2H1Tig

Cleveland Civics History Series | The City on the Hill: Tom L. Johnson and the Mayors Influenced by Henry George

The City on the Hill: Tom L. Johnson and the Mayors Influenced by Henry George

Presenter: Dr. Alexandra W. Lough, author of The Last Tax: Henry George and the Social Politics of Land Reform in the Gilded Age and Progressive Era

Date: Thursday, November 19

Time: 7:00 pm

About the Event:Cleveland during the period of Mayor Tom L. Johnson (1901-1909) was considered by many to be one of the best governed cities in the nation. But Johnson was just one of several mayors who were followers of the 19th century political economist and social reformer Henry George. Dr. Alexandra Lough will explain how the teachings of Henry George influenced Tom L. Johnson’s mayoralty in Cleveland.

RSVP here: https://cwru.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VoURYKsXTRqjC57O2H1Tig

Cleveland Civics History Series | The Mike White Years by the Journalists Who Covered Him

The Mike White Years by the Journalists Who Covered Him

Panel: Brent Larkin, Cleveland Plain Dealer; Tom Beres, WKYC-TV (retired); Leon Bibb, WKYC-TV, WEWS-TV (retired); moderated by Mark Naymik, WKYC Channel 3 – Cleveland

Date: Wednesday, October 21

Time: 7:00 pm

About the Event:The 1990s in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio were molded by 3-term Mayor Michael R. White (1990-2002). Changes to the Cleveland Public Schools, Gateway stadium (and stadiums in general), the Browns, the airport, and many other decisions were made that are impacting the region to this day. Hear from the journalists who covered Mayor White as they look back 20 years later.

RSVP here: https://cwru.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VoURYKsXTRqjC57O2H1Tig

Cleveland Civics History Series | Deconstructing the Rockefeller Myth: A Cleveland Perspective

Deconstructing the Rockefeller Myth: A Cleveland Perspective

Presenter: Dr. John J. Grabowski, Senior Vice President of Research & Publications, Western Reserve Historical Society, and Krieger Mueller Associate Professor of Applied History, Case Western Reserve University

Date: Wednesday, October 7

Time: 7:00 pm

About the Event: John D. Rockefeller. Did he forget Cleveland? Dr. Grabowski will talk about the various long held beliefs held by many Clevelanders about John D. Rockefeller and whether they are based in truth.

RSVP here: https://cwru.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VoURYKsXTRqjC57O2H1Tig

Cleveland Civics History Series | The Long Arc of Justice and the Beloved Community

The Long Arc of Justice and the Beloved Community: Courage and Resilience in Black Women’s Struggle for Universal Voting Rights and Political Power

Presenter: Joy Bostic, Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Africana Studies and Founding Director for the African and African American Studies Program, Case Western Reserve University

Date: Wednesday, September 23

Time: 7:00 pm

About the Event: This talk will delve into the core values and organizing strategies Black women use locally and nationally in the struggle for inclusive voting rights in the United States.

RSVP here: https://cwru.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VoURYKsXTRqjC57O2H1Tig

POSTPONED | Virtual Family Learning Day | Our Favorite Stories

This event has been postponed. Please check back later for a new date.

Virtual Family Learning Day | Our Favorite Stories

Experience the Western Reserve Historical Society from the comfort of your own home in our first Virtual Family Learning Day! On July 15, our experts will be sharing their favorite lessons from history with young learners of all ages in a series of fun and interactive digital programs.

Schedule of Presentations

Please note that there will be additional time at the end of each presentation for Q&A.

10:00-10:30am | Age 5-7

Presenter: Lisa Pettry, Hale Farm & Village Education & Public Programs Manager

Follow the fleece from sheep to the weaving shuttle on a journey through seasons on the farm. Young listeners in this interactive online session will hear David Edwards’ story, “The Pen That Pa Built,” then watch everyday materials from the kitchen or garden add color to wool through the magic of natural dyeing. Registered families will receive PDF instructions to experiment with color at home.

11:00-11:40am | Age 8-12

Presenter: Pamela Dorazio-Dean, Associate Curator of Italian History

Italian food has become one of the most popular foods in the United States, but that wasn’t always the case. In this presentation, learn about the history of Italian food and its rise to popularity, with a special focus on everybody’s favorites: pizza and pasta! Plus, learn about Cleveland’s own Chef Boyardee’s role in giving the masses a taste for garlic and tomato sauce.

12:00-12:50pm | Age 13+

Presenter: Eric Rivet, Curator of Collections & Exhibits

Explore the history of NASA’s Apollo Space Program, which landed twelve men on the moon in the 1960s and 1970s. Join Chief Curator Eric Rivet for a discussion of the history of the Apollo Program’s successes and failures, and also the technology behind the Saturn V rocket and the Apollo spacecraft.

How to Register

Register and reserve your spot 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.

Participants are welcome to attend more than one session. In order to do so, simply add the registration for the additional session(s) you would like to attend before completing your order.

Cost: $6/student/session.

Virtual Book Discussion | Cleveland A to Z

Virtual Book Discussion | Cleveland A to Z

Join WRHS Senior Vice President of Research and Publications and Kreiger Mueller Historian John Grabowski for a discussion of his book, Cleveland A to Z, a very different guide to Cleveland.

Cleveland A to Z is not a typical city guide. Rather than concentrating solely on the usual topics —landmarks, restaurants, shopping, and notable facts — this guide touches on deeper themes related to Cleveland’s people, places, stories, and events. Dr. Grabowski will provide a sampling of the 72 articles in the book that examine the city’s rich history, while also hinting at the issues, attitudes, and even the quirks that define Cleveland’s character. Cleveland A to Z is an ideal entry point for a fuller exploration of the city’s history.

Get ready for the discussion by purchasing a copy of Cleveland A to Z at our Online Museum Store!

How to Register

Registration for this event is free but required. To reserve your spot, click 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, as well as all necessary login information and instructions.

This event is presented in partnership with Canalway Partners as part of Cleveland History Days. For more information on Cleveland History Days, click here.