Cleveland Starts Here Exhibit Opens

This November, on the occasion of its 150^th anniversary year, WRHS is giving back to the community with the grand opening of Cleveland Starts Here®, presented by the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation, to tell the story of more than 220 years of Cleveland and Northeast Ohio history and provide the context for the critical conversations taking place in our region, nation, and around the world. Through Cleveland Starts Here®, guests to the Cleveland History Center and around the world will be able to explore the history of Cleveland and how the region helped shape and continues to influence the American experience.

Cleveland Starts Here® gives audiences of all ages the opportunity to discover how a small wilderness town on the shores of Lake Erie became an industrial giant, the home of immigrants and American presidents, a world class center for arts, culture, and education, and a world-renowned innovator in medicine and health care.

“In partnership with the community and so many generous donors and friends, WRHS is proud to present this all-new experience that explores the rich, diverse history of our region.  Presently, there is no place in the city to discover our history, and as the trusted steward of our region’s history for over 150 years, WRHS uses its vast collections and resources to educate, enlighten and inspire people to explore our shared past.  With Cleveland Starts Here®, we are creating a special place for people to gather to share memories, to discover a shared past and understanding of one another, and to engage in conversations about our world today.  Cleveland Starts Here® is the context for these conversations, presented as never before with hundreds of artifacts, multi-media interactives, and a digital portal for audiences world-wide.” says Kelly Falcone-Hall, WRHS President & CEO.

Cleveland Starts Here® is an all-new core Cleveland history exhibition and digital portal that celebrates the great pride that Northeast Ohioans have in our region. It explores the stories of greater Cleveland and how this city on the lake shaped the American experience. Featuring innovative and extensive multi-media displays and interactivity, WRHS’s vast library and museum collections will be accessible to create a one-of-a-kind first stop that galvanizes the exploration and study of humanities onsite, online and in the community.

We are pleased to announce that we have reached the campaign goal for this project thanks to the generous support from the community.

Closing campaign gifts include a $250,000 award from the Schoff Family Charitable Fund for the Cleveland Starts Here® documentary film, a permanent feature of the exhibit, $200,000 from the Cleveland Foundation, $50,000 from the Catherine L. and Edward A. Lozick Foundation and $50,000 from the John P. Murphy Foundation.

WRHS received broad support from the community for the exhibition from many individuals, foundations, and corporations, including a title sponsorship for the exhibit from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation in December 2016.

Click here to see the complete list of donors to date.

Cleveland Starts Here® opens to the public on November 29, 2017, at 10:00am in the Reinberger Gallery at the Cleveland History Center – 10825 East Blvd.

Regular admission rates apply.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS NOW!

Cleveland Starts Here®. Cleveland starts with you.

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