Cleveland History Center

06/05/2026

Join us at the Cleveland History Center this Sunday, June 14, from 11am-4pm to celebrate 250 years of American history!

Included with regular museum admission, explore:

🇺🇸Hands-on activities to explore the early history of the Western Reserve
Our exhibit "Hollywood on the Cuyahoga: Northeast Ohio and the Movies", presented by PNC, part of America250-Ohio’s "Ohio Goes to the Movies" initiative.
🇺🇸Your family history in the WRHS Library with experts from our Genealogical Committee
🇺🇸Check off stops to earn rewards through the Ohio Trails & Tales program:
✈️Ohio Air & Space Trail (the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum’s aviation and National Air Races collections)
🎠Ohio Creativity Trail (Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel)
🚦Ohio Innovation Trail (see Garrett Morgan’s traffic signal in the Crawford and other ingenious contributions from Clevelanders)
🛞 Ohio Transportation Trail (the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum, including our extensive collection of historic Cleveland-made cars)
and more!
George Washington will make a special appearance to shake hands and take "sketches" 3:30-4pm

06/05/2026

While international soccer powerhouses Brazil and Egypt take the field downtown this weekend, the Western Reserve Historical Society is chasing a massive score of our own—we are currently 91% of the way to our annual fund goal!

Today, you have a unique opportunity to make twice the impact and help us get across the finish line.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of Mr. Charles Bolton, we have a $2,500 matching gift challenge on the table for our June WRHS-AM250 campaign.

That means every single dollar you contribute before June 30th will be instantly doubled to support our work in this fiscal year (FY26)!

👟 A $50 gift becomes $100
👟 A $250 gift becomes $500

As Mr. Bolton beautifully shared: "I am supporting the Western Reserve Historical Society because knowledge of our history is more important than ever as we reach our 250th year as a nation."

We cannot fully appreciate America’s 250-year journey without honoring the local history that fueled it. Help us secure the win for Northeast Ohio's legacy!

Help us reach our goal by following this link: https://www.wrhs.org/join-give/give/give-online

06/05/2026

Think electric vehicles are new? Cleveland was building them over 125 years ago.

Long before today's electric vehicles hit our roads, there was the EV1.

This 1997 GM EV1 from the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum collection is nearly 30 years old. With home charging capabilities, quick acceleration, and a futuristic design, it offered an early glimpse of the future.

On World Environment Day, we're looking back at one milestone in the history of automotive innovation.

06/04/2026

Did you know Northeast Ohio has been part of movie history since 1897?

Hollywood on the Cuyahoga brings that story to life—from early films in the Flats to major productions filmed across the region.

On view now at the Cleveland History Center, made possible by title sponsor PNC Bank.

Visit today and experience the story firsthand.

06/03/2026

Calling all parents of little adventurers. 📢

Are your kids ready for a morning packed with imagination, history, and a little bit of wild fun?

Join us at the Cleveland History Center for our Historic Animals Camp. We are stepping inside our historic mansions and exploring the museum through the eyes of Max from Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are.

What is on the itinerary?
-Monster Hunts and Mansion Exploring: Spotting hidden beasts and animals in our historic spaces.
-Creature Features: Learning the incredible stories of famous animals in Ohio history.
-Fast and Furry: Heading over to the Crawford Auto-Aviation Collection to see how awesome animal abilities inspired human transportation.

Guided by our trained museum educators, it is the perfect half-day drop-off program to spark big imaginations in our littlest historians—all at an incredible value.

The Details:
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Half-Day)
Location: Cleveland History Center in University Circle (10825 East Blvd.)
Cost: Members $25 | Non-members $40 (An amazing value for three hours of expert-led museum fun, crafts, and exploring.)
Ages: 4–7

Logistics and Parent Perks: Parents can drop off and pick up for some guilt-free time to yourself, or stick around and explore the museum while the kiddos play.

Spots are limited, so let the wild rumpus start.

Registration Link: https://www.wrhs.org/do-see/events/2026/06/12/historic-animals-camp

half-day camp, early elementary, animals, history, museum fun, activities for kids

06/02/2026

History is about to become a major family adventure this summer! The America 250-Ohio Commission officially launched the 4th Grade History Pass Plus program, and we are thrilled to be a part of it.

If you have a student who just finished the 4th grade, listen up: Throughout the entire month of July, your 4th grader AND up to three family members get FREE general admission to check out the Cleveland History Center! It’s all part of celebrating our nation's upcoming 250th anniversary by helping the next generation dive into our state's incredible stories.

Learn more, view the FAQs, and download your pass here:
https://america250-ohio.org/fourth-grade-pass/

America 250-Ohio and Ohio history-related museums and sites are offering Ohio 4th Graders with free general admission to participating sites.

06/02/2026

Join us here at the Cleveland History Center for 2026 YP Week: Night at the Museum — an evening celebrating Cleveland’s rich film history and its connection to Hollywood.

Enjoy:
A spotlight talk from a WRHS expert on Hollywood on the Cuyahoga
A self-guided scavenger hunt through the museum
Free admission + cash bar
A fun, low-pressure way to explore, mingle, and connect

June 11, 2026
5:30–8:00 PM
Parking available behind the museum off Magnolia Drive

Register now through Engage! Cleveland: https://engagecleveland.org/events/2026-yp-week-night-at-the-museum/

06/01/2026

From Hale Farm & Village to the Cleveland History Center, this Western Reserve Historical Society wedding was a beautiful full-circle celebration of love.

We’re honored to have been part of your day. 💞

06/01/2026

A little peek into 250 years of American history.

On June 14, join us at the Cleveland History Center for America250 Family Day—an all-ages experience included with museum admission.

Families can take part in hands-on activities connecting the early Western Reserve to the broader story of the United States, explore special exhibitions like Hollywood on the Cuyahoga (presented by PNC as part of America250-Ohio’s Ohio Goes to the Movies), and dig into family history with help from experts in our WRHS Library and Genealogical Committee.

Throughout the day, visitors can also take part in Ohio Trails & Tales stops across the museum:
• Aviation and air race history at the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum
• Cleveland creativity at Euclid Beach Park Carousel
• Innovation stories including Garrett Morgan’s traffic signal and other local inventions
• Transportation history from Cleveland-made cars to Keep on Truckin’: Rise of the Great American Truck

Plus tours of the Hay-McKinney Mansion, and a special appearance by George Washington at 3:30pm.

Pop your head in for a quick stop—or stay for the whole day!

More info & tickets: www.wrhs.org/do-see/events/2026/06/14/america250-family-day