Friends of the Cleveland History Center

Friends of the Cleveland History Center, formally The Museum Advisory Council and the Women’s Advisory Council, was founded in 1945 as an auxiliary organization of the Western Reserve Historical Society. Its purpose was, and is, to stimulate interest in and to raise funds to benefit the WRHS and its programs. Friends of the Cleveland History Center is open to both men and women of all ages. Dues are $25.00 and membership in the WRHS is also required.

Click here for more information about purchasing WRHS Membership and paying dues

Some of our accomplishments include the following:

• Provided an endowment fund for the Museum Advisory Council Curator of Costume and Textiles position at the Cleveland History Center
• Provided an endowment fund for operating the Hay-McKinney House
• Made restorations of the Hay-McKinney House and gardens possible
• Provided an acquisition endowment fund for the decorative arts
• Created the WRHS Antiques Show, and in 21 years, raised over $1,300,000
• Provided funds for major acquisitions through fund raisers such as home tours and galas.
• Assisted with a variety of Society events such as Members Nights and the University Circle Fest
• Provided holiday decorations for the Hay-McKinney and Bingham-Hanna Houses as well as Crawford Lane, the street of shops in the Crawford Auto Aviation Gallery

• Laura Loew, Lost in the Past – The Magic of a Victorian Christmas and The History of Women Through Hats
• John Vacha, author and historian – The History of the Hanna Theater
• Catherine Kohl, historian – Famous Cleveland Women of Lakeview Cemetery
• Dr. Mari Halkovick – Vintage Vanities – Glitz and Glamour in the White House, Jewelry of the Ohio Presidential First Ladies.

And Friends of the Cleveland History Center enjoyed speakers from national institutions such as:

• Winterthur – the DuPont Mansion
• Williamsburg
• Baltimore Historical Society
• Strong Museum in Rochester, New York
• The Smithsonian

Tours have included:

• The Cowan Pottery Museum in Rocky River
• Lakeview Cemetery and Wade Chapel in Cleveland
• Historic Ohio towns
• Ethnic communities of Cleveland

Friend’s of the Cleveland History Center is operated by an Executive Committee. Notices of meetings are distributed to those indicating interest and are open to the membership. Their participation is encouraged. Most of our contact with members takes place by electronic mail or phone.

Friends of the Cleveland History Center Membership