Cleveland History Center

06/24/2026

Don’t miss this spectacular event! This Thursday evening here at the Cleveland History Center.

Presented as part of the 2026 Cleveland History Days.

06/22/2026

Joseph Hodge—also known as Joe Hodges and “Black Joe”—served as a guide and interpreter for the Connecticut Western Reserve Surveying Party led by Moses Cleaveland. Fluent in Seneca, Hodge’s knowledge of language and regional geography made him an important part of the expedition as it moved from Buffalo Creek to the Western Reserve near present-day Cleveland.

Hodge is among the earliest documented African Americans connected to the history of the Western Reserve, with ties to communities in the Buffalo Creek region and broader Great Lakes borderlands.

His story is part of the early history of Northeast Ohio preserved through research in the Western Reserve Historical Society’s African American Archives.

Learn more: www.wrhs.org/do-see/collections/published-unpublished-materials/african-american

06/20/2026

Still looking for the perfect Father’s Day gift?

Whether Dad loves classic cars, Cleveland history, movies, or simply spending time together, we’ve got plenty of ways to celebrate:

•Explore the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum together—Keep on Truckin’ now on display!

•Visit Hollywood on the Cuyahoga and discover Northeast Ohio’s connections to the silver screen.

•Spend time browsing for a unique gift in our Museum Store.

•Give a membership and enjoy a year of history, exhibitions, and special events again and again.

•Make a donation in Dad’s honor and help preserve Cleveland’s stories for future generations.

•Spend the day making memories at the Cleveland History Center.

06/19/2026

Happy Juneteenth from the Cleveland History Center.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the end of slavery in the United States—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

It is both a historic milestone and a reminder that the meaning of freedom has been shaped over generations through lived experience, community building, and perseverance.



Image: Dunbar Mutual Insurance Society staff, ca. 1940s–1950s. Black-owned business life in Cleveland, preserved in the WRHS African American Archives.

06/18/2026

What does a stylish thriller set in Paris have to do with the American Dream?

Quite a bit, actually.

Charade reflects a mid-century fascination with reinvention, aspiration, consumer culture, and the power of image—many of the same themes explored in American Dream: Immigrants and the Business of Fashion. Tonight’s program invites you to experience both through film, fashion, and conversation.

Join us tonight for a screening of this classic starring Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant, along with a special look at fashion from the WRHS collection and a walkthrough of the American Dream exhibit with curator, Patty Edmonson.

📍 Cleveland History Center
🕕 6–9 p.m. tonight

This program is part of Cleveland History Days, a community-wide celebration of Cleveland’s rich history presented by Canalway Partners.

Explore various events happening across the region at: www.canalwaypartners.com/events

06/16/2026

For the final installment of our American Dream film series, Curator of Fashion and Textiles Patty Edmonson shares a highlight from our collection: a coat worn by Audrey Hepburn.

See more collection highlights in person on Thursday, June 18, when we screen Charade. Patty will also share related objects from the collection and lead a tour of American Dream, currently on view at the Cleveland History Center.

Tickets: https://cletix.com/events/american-dream-film-series-6-18-2026

06/14/2026

Gray skies? Perfect museum weather. 🇺🇸

America250 Family Day is happening TODAY from 11am–4pm at the Cleveland History Center. Enjoy family activities, exhibits, and hands-on history—all under one roof.

Plus, don’t miss a special appearance by George Washington at 3:30pm!

📍 Cleveland History Center
⏰ 11am–4pm
🎟 Included with regular admission

06/09/2026

06/09/2026

On June 18, we’re screening Charade (1963), the perfect blend of romance and intrigue, with Audrey Hepburn in Givenchy and Cary Grant at his most effortlessly debonair.

As part of the evening, Curator Patricia Edmonson will share archival fashion pulled from the WRHS collection, connecting what you see on screen to real garments and stories from the era. This is your final opportunity to experience the exhibition in this program format while it’s still on view. After the film, guests will join a private tour of the exhibition.

6:00–9:00 PM
FREE with museum admission
Snacks, sweets, and refreshments included
Alcohol available for purchase

https://cletix.com/events/american-dream-film-series-6-18-2026