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Line 1: {{Short description\|Organization in Cleveland, Ohio}} {{More citations needed\|date=June 2013}} [[File:CHC Cleveland 01.jpg\|thumb\|Entrance to the Cleveland History Center]] [[File:Hay-McKinney House.jpg\|thumb\|right\|The Hay-McKinney Mansion is, part of the ~~Western Reserve Historical Society's complex in~~Cleveland ~~[[University~~History ~~Circle]].~~Center]] The '''Western Reserve Historical Society''' ('''WRHS''') was founded in 1867, making it the oldest cultural institution in [[Northeast Ohio]]. WRHS is located in [[Cleveland]], [[Ohio]], [[United States\|USA]], and is focused on the history of the [[Western Reserve]]. WRHS celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2017.▼ The '''Western Reserve Historical Society''' ('''WRHS''') is a [[historical society]] in [[Cleveland]], [[Ohio]]. The society operates the '''Cleveland History Center''', a collection of museums in [[University Circle]]. ▲The ~~'''Western Reserve Historical Society''' ('''WRHS''')~~society was founded in 1867, making it the oldest cultural institution in [[Northeast Ohio]]. WRHS ~~is located in [[Cleveland]], [[Ohio]], [[United States\|USA]], and~~ is focused on the history of the [[Western Reserve]]. WRHS celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2017. ==Location and mission ==▼ ▲==Location and mission == The Western Reserve & Northern Ohio Historical Society formed in 1867, initially as a branch of the Cleveland Library Association.<ref name="Western Reserve Historical Society">{{cite web\|url=http://ech.case.edu/cgi/article.pl?id=WRHS\|title=Western Reserve Historical Society\|publisher=The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History\|~~accessdate~~access-date=18 February 2015}}</ref> Its first president was [[Charles Whittlesey (geologist)\|Charles Whittlesey]], "a geologist and historian". "Originally, the society was located on the third floor of the Society for Savings Bank in downtown Cleveland."<ref name="ohiohistory3">{{Cite web\|url=http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Western_Reserve_&_Northern_Ohio_Historical_Society?rec=2175\|title=Western Reserve & Northern Ohio Historical Society\|work=Ohio History Central\|~~accessdate~~access-date=2013-06-09}}</ref> The institution first opened to the public in 1871 and purchased the entire bank building in 1892 due to the increasing size of the collections. From 1898 until 1938 the society resided at E. 107th St. and Euclid Avenue.<ref name="Western Reserve Historical Society"/> WRHS moved to its present location in the late 1930s.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/32#.VOS-xvnF9K0\|title=Western Reserve Historical Society\|publisher=Cleveland Historical\|~~accessdate~~access-date=18 February 2015}}</ref> Located in [[University Circle]], an arts and culture district of Cleveland, the Society houses and curates collections of cultural artifacts and documents from various people. The mission of the Western Reserve Historical Society is "to inspire people to discover the American experience by exploring the tangible history of Northeast Ohio."<ref>[http://www.wrhs.org/about/mission-values/ Western Reserve Historical Society, "Mission and Values"]</ref> This is accomplished by collecting, preserving and presenting the history of all the people of the [[Western Reserve]]. WRHS is a private, membership-based society that also receives funding through investments, grants, and gifts. == History == "Founded in May 1867, the Western Reserve Historical Society is Cleveland's oldest existing cultural institution. It was established as the historical branch of the Cleveland Library Association which dated from 1848. The Society's creation was part of an important trend in the United States, the establishment of private organizations to oversee the collection and preservation of documents and objects relating to various aspects of national, regional and local history. While its original focus was on the history of "~~…Cleveland~~...Cleveland and the Western Reserve, and generally what relates to the history of Ohio and the Great West," it now concentrates on the history of Northeast Ohio."<ref name=":02">{{cite news \| access-date=2017-01-06 \| url=https://www.wrhs.org/about/ \| title=About WRHS \| date=2014-07-18 \| newspaper=Western Reserve Historical Society}}</ref> "Between 1867 and 1898, the Society was located in downtown Cleveland in a building which stood on what is now [[Key Tower]], the site of the [[KeyBank]] headquarters. During this period the Society's collections grew rapidly as did its means of support as leading citizens, including John D. Rockefeller, collectors, and scholars became associated with its operations. The growth and stature of its collections were such that it obtained a charter from the State of Ohio on March 7, 1892 which made it an independent organization, one on a par with other major cultural and educational institutions that had arisen in the post-Civil War period."<ref name=":02" /> Line 20 ⟶ 23: "The physical and geographic expansion of the Society's facilities was complemented by increased professionalism of its curatorial operations and an important topical expansion of its collections. Beginning in the late 1960s the Society began aggressive programs to acquire and preserve documents and artifacts that represented the histories of Northeast Ohio's diverse populations. Specific programs were established in African-American, Jewish, Italian, Irish, LGBT, labor, and other areas of community history which have provided it with unparalleled resources relating to urban, industrial, immigration, and family history. These provide a critical complement to its collections on the pioneer settlement and early growth of the Western Reserve as well as to major topics such as the American Civil War, decorative arts, genealogy, and automotive and aviation history."<ref name=":02" /> "By the early 1980s, the Western Reserve Historical Society had become one of the largest private historical societies in the United States. In 1986, its library contained approximately 250,000 books and six million manuscript items."<ref name="ohiohistory3" /><ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://consumer.discoverohio.com/searchdetails.aspx?detail=41661\|title=Western Reserve Historical Society Research Center\|~~accessdate~~access-date=2013-06-09}}</ref> ==Cleveland History Center== The Society's headquarters in University Circle, styled "the History Center", houses several facilities: * The [[Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum]] houses over 150 vintage and antique automobiles and airplanes. * The [[Euclid Beach Park]] Grand Carousel (PTC #19), originally built in 1910 by the [[Philadelphia Toboggan Company]] and fully restored 45 years after the park closed, opened November 23, 2014.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.wrhs.org/explore/exhibits/euclid-beach-park-grand-carousel/\|title=Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel\|publisher=Western Reserve Historical Society\|~~accessdate~~access-date=18 February 2015}}</ref> * The History Museum also has changing exhibits that showcase local history. * The History Museum also includes: Line 31 ⟶ 34: The Bingham-Hanna House, built between 1916 and 1919 on the land neighboring the Hay-McKinney property, Harry Payne Bingham built a 35-room house designed by [[Walker & Gillette]], with a landscape by [[Olmsted Brothers]] and featuring ironwork by [[Samuel Yellin]]. The Chisholm Halle Costume Wing, houses over 30,000 garments from the late 18th century to the present. * The Library and Archives feature over 20 million archives and manuscripts for genealogical research or any aspect of Northeast Ohio history. The institutions significant collections includes the World's largest and most comprehensive collection of [[Shakers\|Shaker]] Materials. Other substantial collections include the Civil War and the automotive industry.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.wrhs.org/research/library/significant-collections/\|title=Significant Collections\|website=Western Reserve Historical Society\|~~accessdate~~access-date=17 February 2015}}</ref> == Hale Farm and Village == Line 46 ⟶ 49: ** "Built by Jonathan Hale between 1825 and 1827, this three-story brick house was one of only two all-brick buildings in the Cuyahoga Valley at the time of its construction. Jonathan's father and grandfather built his ancestral home in Glastonbury with bricks shaped and burned on site; therefore, it is not surprising that Jonathan brought that family tradition to the Western Reserve." * Jonathan Goldsmith House ** The Jonathan Goldsmith House was built for the William Peck Robinson family, ca. 1830 in Willoughby, Ohio. The building is named for its builder and architect [[Sawyer-Barrow House#Jonathan Goldsmith\| Jonathan Gillett Goldsmith]] (1784-1847). Goldsmith is recognized as one of the finest architects in the Reserve. His structures featured elaborate carvings and high quality construction. This house is an excellent example of his work. Because of the size and quality of the craftsmanship, the Goldsmith House stands today as the finest and most luxurious house in the Village. * Fritch Log Cabin * Log Smoke House Line 71 ⟶ 74: ==Other properties== * [[Shandy Hall (Ohio)\|Shandy Hall]], located in [[Geneva, Ohio]], was constructed in 1815 by Col. Robert Harper, a son of Alexander Harper, namesake of the township and the first permanent settler in that area. Built in 1815, Shandy Hall is an example of early life and architecture found in the Western Reserve.<ref>{{cite web \| url=http://www.wrhs.org/plan-your-visit/historic-properties-2/shandy-hall-in-geneva/ \| title=Shandy Hall in Geneva, Ohio \| ~~accessdate~~access-date=10 February 2015 \| website=wrhs.org/}}</ref> Shandy Hall is under preservation and is not currently available for public visitation. * [[Loghurst]], built in 1805 in [[Canfield, Ohio]], is thought to be the oldest residence in the Western Reserve.<ref name="Loghurst Museum in Canfield Ohio">{{cite web\|url=http://www.loghurst.org/\|title=Loghurst Museum in Canfield Ohio\|website=www.loghurst.org}}</ref> Loghurst continues to be part of the WRHS Collection of historic buildings and properties. Today, the Canfield Heritage Foundation maintains the property and public operation. Canfield Heritage Foundation<ref~~>{{cite~~ ~~web\|url=http://www.loghurst.org/\|title~~name="Loghurst Museum in Canfield Ohio~~\|website=www.loghurst.org}}<~~"/~~ref~~> offers additional information. * The society also owned and operated [[James A. Garfield National Historic Site\|Lawnfield]], President [[James A. Garfield]]'s home in [[Mentor, Ohio]], from 1936, when it was donated by the Garfield family, until 2008, when it was turned over to the [[National Park Service]].<ref>{{cite press release\|title=NPS to Fully Operate James A. Garfield Site\|date=November 2, 2007\|publisher=National Park Service\|url=http://www.nps.gov/jaga/parknews/upload/JAG%20final%20press%20release.pdf\|~~accessdate~~access-date=February 15, 2015\|format=PDF}}</ref> == References == Line 79 ⟶ 82: ==External links== {{Commons category\|Cleveland History Center}} * {{~~official~~Official website\|http://www.wrhs.org/ }} * [http://ech.case.edu/cgi/article.pl?id=WRHS Encyclopedia of Cleveland History] {{Cleveland}} {{Midwestern U.S. historical societies}} {{Authority control}} {{~~coord~~Coord\|41\|30\|48\|N\|81\|36\|37\|W\|type:landmark_region:US\|display=title}} [[Category:Museums in Cleveland]] Line 94 ⟶ 99: [[Category:Libraries in Ohio]] [[Category:Historical societies in Ohio]] [[Category:Western Reserve, Ohio]]