Shaker Sells Exhibit Opening

March 7 | 6-8pm | Shaker Historical Society

Join us on March 7 for the free opening reception of our new exhibition Shaker Sells, co-curated with Cleveland State University student Elliot Rendall. In the 19th century, the Shaker name signified quality through the brooms, furniture, seeds, and medicinal herbs that sustained their communities. After the decline of Cleveland’s North Union Village, the Van Sweringen brothers repurposed Shaker imagery to market Shaker Heights as an idyllic escape from industrial Cleveland. Their exclusive suburb contradicted Shaker values, yet the romanticized image of a “peaceful Shaker village” fueled the city’s growth and remains a lasting brand to today.

Shaker Sells opens in our first-floor temporary gallery in conjunction with History is Messy by Chuck Mintz in the second-floor Lissauer Gallery. Light refreshments will be provided. This exhibit will be on view through August 10, 2025 and is supported in part by residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.

History is Messy Exhibit Opening

March 7 | 6-8pm | Shaker Historical Society

Join us on March 7 for the free opening reception of our new Lissauer Gallery exhibition History is Messy by photographer Charles Mintz. Between 1883 and 1929, Andrew Carnegie funded 2,500 “Carnegie Libraries,” 1,700 in the United States. He required local support for the libraries but not much else. It amounted to over a billion dollars in today’s funds. Carnegie was an emblem of the Gilded Age and a ruthless businessman. Here we are roughly a century later and, arguably, are in yet a second gilded age. Most of these libraries are still in use - in cities and very small towns. Although a great deal has changed, when you go into these places, a great deal is the same. Children still listen to stories. It is a safe and comfortable place. There are still books, though there are computers, the Internet, audiobooks, and a full spectrum of contemporary media. Librarians are there to recommend and to assist in research. The public value of these places is palpable. You can feel it. The project includes 125 libraries in 12 states and one province. In each image, there is a librarian with a favorite book.

History is Messy by Charles Mintz opens in our second-floor Lissauer Gallery in conjunction with Shaker Sells on the first floor. Light refreshments will be provided. The upcoming viewing of History is Messy highlights selections from this body of work, including photographs of Cleveland-area Carnegie libraries. This exhibit will be on view through June 1, 2025 and is supported in part by residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.

Historic Homes Tour

April 6 | 10am-3pm | Meet at Nature Center at Shaker Lakes | TICKETS REQUIRED

Step back in time and experience the history of Shaker Heights, the Shaker Parklands, and the Freeway Fight of the 1960s. With sweeping views and access to preserved parklands, this year’s homes will not disappoint. The program begins with a brunch and presentation highlighting the significance of the freeway fight on our local homes and greenspaces. Next, guests will join a trolley tour of four stunning and unique homes that were once in the path of the proposed freeway. Each home on West Park, South Park, and Shaker Boulevards is rich with history, which will be detailed on this tour.

May Fortune Be Kind and Give Us Trees: The Arboreal History of Shaker Heights — Closes March 2, 2025 

For centuries, trees have played an integral role in the development of community in Shaker Heights. Picturesque tree-lined streets are a beloved hallmark of this garden-style suburb, but the use and impact of trees extend far beyond aesthetics. May Fortune Be Kind and Give Us Trees explores the intertwined history of nature and community in Shaker Heights. From the North Union Shakers' Holy Grove to the city's Garden City inspiration to its present-day Tree City designation, the community's relationship with trees reflects a deep-rooted and enduring connection to the landscape.

This exhibition is made possible with support from Bartlett Tree Experts and residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.