Cleveland History Center: Interactive Northeast Ohio Exhibits

Explore the rich history of Northeast Ohio at the Cleveland History Center. Ride a historic carousel, tour mansions, and discover fascinating exhibits on Cleveland’s past. Visit now!

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Cleveland History Center - The Cleveland History Center houses exhibits that tell the story of Northeast Ohio. Through the use of the Western Reserve Historical Society’s extensive collections the Cleveland History Center provides a much-needed sense of place in today’s mobile society. Each item on display or in an interactive tells a story that…
What's Included
  • Admission ticket to Cleveland History Center included.
  • Skip-the-line ticket provided.
Additional Information

For well over a century and a half, the Western Reserve Historical Society (WRHS) has been narrating the tale of Northeast Ohio. Explore Cleveland’s oldest cultural institution, the Cleveland History Center, to watch the narratives unfold through engaging exhibits.
From the initial map of Cleveland to the championship footwear of LeBron James, navigate…

Location
Cleveland History Center
10825 East Blvd, Western Reserve Historical Society Near the Crawford auto and aviation museum
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.2
(13 Ratings)
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1 star
Heather_m
Dec 12, 2023
Educational & fun - Everyone there was very helpful, friendly & enthusiastic about their job. It was a very nice experience
Review provided by Viator
4ts5272xkb
Nov 18, 2023
Pleasantly surprised - I didn’t know what to expect but we really enjoyed ourselves. The indoor carousel was amazing! Would definitely recommend to anyone
Review provided by Viator
Kwiklsc
Feb 12, 2020
One of a kind car collection. Exhibits for everyone's tastes even if that isn't automobiles . - A must see for anyone who enjoys cars. The Crawford's collection (changes regularly) consists of many cars you will not see at any other museum. Many of the cars are displayed in life like settings and there are also some interactive displays. Cleveland's early days as an auto manufacturing center is also covered with cars built in Cleveland. Be sure to check out the Jordan car exhibits. The aviation portion of the museum while small is very informative. After checking out the cars and airplane section you can also tour two mansions connected to the property. Highly recommend taking the mansion guided tour (include in admission) which provides behind the scenes access not available with the self guided tour. Wrap up your visit with a ride on the beautiful restored Euclid Beach carousel. Ride ticket is included with admission to the Cleveland History Center.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Blturpin
Jan 1, 2020
Cleveland Starts Here, Cleveland Starts With You (from attraction brochure) - The Cleveland History Center is part of the Western Reserve Historical Society and is housed at the same site. There are two Trip Advisor sites with reviews: This one, which is the Cleveland History Center, and also the Western Reserve Historical Society. However, from a visitor's standpoint, they are the same attraction. There is one admission ticket and one museum, albeit with a wide variety of collections and displays. However, when planning your visit, be advised that a visit to the Cleveland History Center is also a visit to the Western Reserve Historical Society. The Center/Society is organized around a few key exhibits. Those are: 1. Cleveland Starts Here - The history of Cleveland and the Cleveland region. 2. Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum 3. Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel 4. Bingham-Hanna & Hay-McKinney Mansions 5. Chisholm Halle Costume Wing 6. Special Collections - at the moment "Giving Black," a look at philanthropy by African American members of the greater Cleveland Community. (Extremely impressive!!) My friend and I visited specifically to take the mansion tour and see the costume and textile collections. However, her husband and daughter spent their time almost exclusively in the car and plane exhibits. Importantly, there is an extensive children's "Hands On" collection of exhibits. Those include: 1. How We Learn 2. How We Travel 3. How We Build 4. How We Dress If your group includes children, there is a lot for them to see and do! There is also a movie (not working the day we visited), a gift shop, and each admission includes tickets for two carousel rides. So, every member of the family will be happily engaged. I am a new resident and have visited other museums in the University Circle area. This one did not rank at the top of my list because I expected it to be a somewhat musty, dusty history or urban development, decay, and renewal. I could not have been more mistaken! This amazing museum should have been the first stop in my effort to understand Cleveland! There are so many fabulous museums in the area that it must be hard to compete and get the public's attention, but I would highly recommend that a visitor or resident spend time here. In "Cleveland Starts Here" you can see Lebron James Nike shoes, a Superman (invented in Cleveland) sculpture, and the Chief Wahoo neon sign from the Cleveland Indians stadium. Probably my favorite part is the section about the Stokes brothers and how the election of Mayor Stokes was such an important political milestone in the US. There is much more to see and the exhibit is displayed for easy access and visibility. Check out the monumental porcelain wall mural! If you are hoping to learn about Cleveland, start with the "Cleveland Starts Here" exhibit. If you are into the cars and planes, it's easy to start with those exhibits. And, the costumes, mansions will take you through history in an entirely different way with a focus on interiors, architecture, and style. I allowed three hours and wished that I'd had 4-5. On nice days there is also a garden to enjoy. The staff is helpful and friendly, there is quite a bit of parking in museum lots or behind the history center, also in the surrounding neighborhood. Do not miss the Cleveland History Center of the Western Reserve Historical Society. It is an exciting, lively, interesting, interactive, and altogether enjoyable museum. I plan to become a member and take all of my guests there. It is an excellent museum and a wholly wonderful experience! Plan your visit today :-)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Douglas_m
May 22, 2024
Review - We enjoyed taking in all of the Cleveland history, especially touring the mansion and riding on the carousel.
Review provided by Viator
Darylj552
Aug 20, 2022
WORTHWHILE HISTORY MUSEUM IN CLEVELAND, OHIO - We spent a couple of hours in the museum looking at the exhibits on Cleveland history, old cars, motorcycles and furnishings from the home which is now the museum. There was also an old carrousel that was operating for anyone that wanted to take a ride.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
J816iwsuec
Aug 13, 2022
Fun and relaxing day! - It was fun and educational. Live carousel ride. Price not bad. The mansions are not totally open at public. Paid parking at street.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Soloroadtrips
Jan 1, 2020
Pleasantly Surprised - I visited the Crawford Auto Aviation Museum area of the CLEVELAND HISTORY CENTER. This museum has been completely redone in the last few years and is a huge improvement from what it was twenty years ago. There is a nice collection of automobiles that were made in Cleveland as well as some that were not. There is a collection on Stainless Steel cars as well. The Aviation collection included a gondola from the Goodyear blimp that I found very interesting. Also located in this museum is the Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel that is operational. All things considered this is a very nice transportation museum.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lb22
Sep 19, 2020
Covid......if you're open...ALL should be available - Our time at the museum would have been better if we could have seen the entire thing. We were only able to see the cars and the Stoke's presentation. Womens rights. They did not have the Mansion or the carousel open. That was disappointing.
Review provided by Viator
Dctrebisky
Jul 8, 2023
Buyers be aware , - Due to circumstances beyond my control I could not attend, I tried to get a refund. This option was not available.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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November 2024
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