Welcoming Newcomers to Cleveland's East Side
What's New Around Town?
The Rockefeller Park Greenhouse
Need a break from the cold? Visit the Rockefeller Park Greenhouse, developed in 1902 for the purpose of growing the plants used to landscape City parks and gardens.
While city beautification is still one of its goals, the Greenhouse and grounds have since evolved into a Botanical garden with specialty plant collections, seasonal floral displays, and theme gardens. For a quick pick-me-up on a gloomy winter day in Cleveland, visit the Greenhouse and see tropical fruits and palms, seasonal flowers, bulbs and flowering plant displays. Also see the variety of ferns, a sunken carpet of baby tears, a southwestern desert and exotic orchids and
bromeliads in bloom. Come back in the spring to visit the various outdoor gardens on the property.
The Rockefeller Park Greenhouse is open 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily, including weekends. Parking and admission is free. It is located at 750 East 88th Street, Cleveland, OH 44108 (216.664.3103).
Visit Squire's Castle
Located within the boundaries of the Cleveland Metroparks District is a stone building that everyone knows as "Squire's Castle." The "castle" was built by Feargus B. Squire, who was one of the founders of the Standard Oil Company. It isn't really a castle, it was designed to be a caretaker's house for a splendid mansion that was never built and it is no one's home these days...except for that of a ghost. Legend has it that the tragic spirit was once the lady of the house and her anguished screams have been reported here for many years as she haunts the place that sent her into an early grave. Mr. Squire was so devastated by the death of his wife that he abandoned the project, and the mansion was never built. The Cleveland Metroparks System purchased the property in 1925 and it has been open to the public ever since. Today, it looks nothing like it did years ago...but curious visitors are welcome to wander through it at any time between dawn and sunset…but you may not want to stay after dark.
Squire's Castle is located outside of Cleveland, Ohio. Take I-90 to Route 91 (Willoughby Exit) to Chardon Road (Route 6) to Chagrin River Road. The castle is on the right hand side.
The Cowan Pottery Museum
Visit the Rocky River Public Library to see a unique collection of Cowan pottery, which was made at the Cowan Pottery Studio in Lakewood, Ohio from 1913 – 1917 and in Rocky River, Ohio from 1920 – 1931. It was one of the nation’s leading potteries during the 1920s and the Cleveland area’s only major pottery.
Also on view is a punch bowl by world-famous Victor Schreckengost, who joined Cowan Pottery in 1930 and worked at the studio three days a week.
Admission to the library is free, and private tours can be arranged by contacting the curator, Carol Jacobs. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am – 9:00 pm, Friday and Saturday from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm, and Sunday from 1:00 – 5:00 pm. Call 216.333.7610 for directions to this unique museum, or visit the web site at.www.cowanpottery.org for more information
Kent State Museum
This museum celebrates fashion and decorative arts. It is a treasure and well worth the drive to the university town of Kent.
On the second floor of the museum is an amazing show, “Confessions and the Sense of Self,” by Professor Noël Palomo-Lovinski of the Fashion School. The show focuses on the relationship between style and popular culture. Using public confessions from the internet, she scans the confessions, many shocking and some humorous, onto fabric. She then creates dresses reflecting the hidden truths and anxieties. In an adjacent gallery is a magnificent display of embroidery from different cultures. Enjoy an afternoon in this delightful location.
A Taste of Old Cleveland
Want a taste of Old Cleveland? Want to see a rich treasure, with an enduring history, architectural features and ethnic mix? Visit the West Side Market, a 96-yeear-old landmark that has been designated as one of the “10 Great Public Spaces in America” by the American Planning Association, a Washington, D.C., nonprofit group that promotes urban and rural planning.
Located at the corner of W. 25th and Lorain, the West Side Market, a massive yellow-brick building with an interior concourse providing room for 100 stalls, an outdoor arcade with 85 stands, and a large clock tower, is open Monday & Wednesday from 7 am — 4 pm and Friday & Saturday from 7 am — 6 pm.
At the Market, visit the butcher shops to see meat hanging on a hook as in the old days. Or sample the amazing variety of pastries or ethnic foods available in Cleveland. It is truly one of Cleveland’s treasures! Visit the web site.
Visit Lake Metroparks Farmpark!
At Lake Metroparks Farmpark, a hands-on experience may mean milking a cow, grooming a horse, grinding wheat, driving a draft horse-powered plow or petting a three-horned Jacob sheep. The variety of activities at the Kirtland park depends on the day and the weather, but there is always plenty going on at this 235-acre working farm and indoor-outdoor "museum" that explores agricultural methods both traditional and futuristic.
For more information, call 1-800-366-3276 or 440-256-2122 or check out the web site.
Happy Birthday, Pat!
We can think of 80 reasons to thank you for all you do for the Eastside Welcome Club!
Congratulations to EWC members Kim Barton and Annie Hubbard and their husbands Doug Orr and Rick Hubbard, on their well-played rise to the top! After sixteen weeks, ten opponents, seven victories – and lots of sweeping – this fearless foursome won the CSC Curldown.This season’s curling event involved 14 teams made up of both experienced and first-year curlers from the Cleveland Skating Club and the Shaker Heights Country Club. With the final standings truly up in the air until the last draw of the last day of regular play, the curldown came to a suspenseful conclusion for several teams. Go team Orr!
The Cleveland Skating Club, at 2500 Kemper Road, Shaker Hts., 44120, is inviting all EWC members to an open house on Saturday, February 25 from 10 am - 2 pm. Enjoy an open swim in the heated pool or work up a sweat in the fitness center. Complimentary lockers, towels, snacks and beverages will be available. RSVP to Emily Goodyear at 216-658-1314 or egoodyear@clevelandskatingclub.org.
Shaker Heights Residents Represent EWC at the SH Centennial Kickoff!
Shaker Historical Society Celebrates Shaker's Centennial!
The Shaker Historical Society (SHS), 16740 South Park Blvd. in Shaker Heights, OH announces its Centennial celebration of the City of Shaker Heights with new permanent and rotating exhibits throughout 2012.
The SHS will tell the story of the city of Shaker Heights’ development with a new permanent exhibit entitled The Van Sweringen Legacy: Shaker Heights, The Rapid & Terminal Tower. In addition, the Society’s rotating exhibits will be divided throughout the year into four themed exhibits. Each rotating exhibit will span 25 years and is positioned to highlight not only the history of Shaker Heights through architecture, citizenry, schools, churches, sports, art and music, but to position Shaker’s evolvement within the context of Cleveland’s growth and progress. Shaker Historical Society Celebrates Shaker's Centennial!
Permanent Exhibit:
Opens January 17, 2012
The Van Sweringen Legacy: Shaker Heights, The Rapid & Terminal Tower
This exhibit will tell the life story of Oris Paxton and Mantis James Van Sweringen. Industrious and enterprising, these young men, who with only an 8th grade education, rose to fame and power in the early 1900s in Cleveland. This exhibit explores their humble beginnings and the iconic Cleveland landmarks that resulted from their visionary leadership.
Rotating Exhibits:
1905-1930: The Selling of Peaceful Shaker Village
January 17 – March 30, 2012
The first exhibit in the Centennial Year series focuses on the Van Sweringen brothers’ purchase of the North Union Shaker land to develop a suburban haven for business and professional people who worked in Cleveland.
1930-1955: Thriving Through Adversity
April 8 – June 29, 2012
The 1929 stock market crash did not seem to affect the growth of Shaker Heights. In 1935, 152 homes with a median cost of $10,400 were built. World War II united the community in creating Victory Gardens in support of servicemen. Gruber’s Restaurant opened in 1952 and became the gathering spot for athletes, celebrities and the crème de la crème of society.
1955-1980: Celebrating Community Spirit
July 8 – September 30, 2012
In 1957, the Ludlow Community Association was formed in response to discriminatory real estate practices and was followed by the Moreland and Lomond Associations. Shaker Heights took a lead role in integration efforts by forming the Shaker Housing Office to assist black families in finding homes in predominately white areas of Shaker. Shaker residents galvanized and organized to oppose the proposed building of two eight-lane freeways known as the Clark-lee, which would destroy Shaker Lakes and the Shaker parklands.
1980-2012: Pathways to the Future
October 7 – December 30, 2012
Shaker Heights began to develop a different vision of the community, one of ethnic and religious diversity, working and living together in harmony as the north Union Shakers had done from 1822-1889. Population shifts resulted in school closings and mergers. Economic development issues and strategies became crucial to the survival of an inner ring suburb originally designed to limit businesses in Shaker Heights. In 2008, the city announced a public-private venture with LaunchHouse, a business focused on creating an entrepreneurial hub for Northeast Ohio.
Museum Hours: Tues – Fri 2-5 pm and Sun 2-5 pm. Closed Holidays
Admission: Members & Children under 6 - Free
$4 fee for Non-Members Adults and $2 fee for Children 6-18
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