Each activity is complete with materials and instructions for the teacher. Based on programs developed by the Cleveland History Center Education Staff, these activities encourage critical thinking while offering unique, compelling opportunities to connect the past to the present in meaningful ways.
African American History
Garrett Morgan
Learn about the inventor and trailblazer from Cleveland, Ohio, and how his inventions changed the world.
Jesse Owens
Get to know the extraordinary track and field athlete who broke world records in the 1930s.
LeBron James
A world-renowned professional basketball player, LeBron James helped the Cleveland Cavaliers win the NBA 2015-2016 Championship.
Carl & Louis Stokes
Two brothers born in poverty achieved political power, prestige, and success, leaving an indelible mark on the history of our city.
Reverend Dr. E.T. Caviness
Learn about Rev. Dr. Emmitt Theophilus Caviness, one of Cleveland’s most impactful community builders.
Building the Beloved Community in Cleveland
Learn about the events that led to a passing of a citywide ordinance that outlawed racial discrimination in Cleveland amusement parks.
Waves of Immigration: Lorain County
Waves of Immigration: Lorain County is a series of activities that can be used in several formats for teaching about immigration in Northeast Ohio from the 1880s through the 1950s. The packaged lesson contains lesson plans, additional materials, an answer key, pre-unit classroom preparation activities, post-unit culmination activities, and alignments to the Ohio Social Studies Content Standards.
Download your Waves of Immigration: Lorain County program content below.
This project was researched and produced with generous support from the Nordson Corporation Foundation.
Education Explorer
Explore the stories, people, and places that make up Cleveland’s rich history in this video series.
Tinkerbelle: Exploring a BIG World in a LITTLE Space
In 1965, Clevelander Robert Manry realized his lifelong dream and completed an amazing journey across the Atlantic Ocean. Learn more about his adventure and the Tinkerbelle sailboat in this educational video!
Download the supplemental materials for this video here:
Manry's Packing List How to Make a Paper Boat
Moses Cleaveland & His Map Makers
Explore the journey that Moses Cleaveland and his group of map makers set out for in 1796. Learn how this group worked together to cross 500 miles to get to the new Connecticut Western Reserve and found the city of Cleveland!
Download the supplemental materials for this video here:
Basic Map Map Coloring Sheet Activity: Pack Your Wagon
Immigration in Cleveland
Explore the history of immigration in Cleveland since 1820. Continue the learning at home by investigating the story of the O’Brien family, Irish immigrants to Cleveland in the 1840s.
Look through the primary sources provided below to find the answers to the questions on the Immigration Investigation Worksheet. Once you’ve learned their story, think about creative ways to share it with your family!
Download the supplemental materials for this video here:
More Activities
How to Darn a Sock
Learn how to mend clothing the old-fashioned way with Museum Advisory Council Curator of Costumes & Textiles Patty Edmonson!
Make Your Own Paper Dolls
Throughout history, paper dolls have remained a beloved childhood pastime. Learn more about their history, then print your own using dresses from the WRHS collection!
Related Reading Print Your Own
