News
The Western Reserve Historical Society (WRHS) is pleased to announce that the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation is the Title Sponsor of the new, innovative exhibit experience Cleveland Starts Here® opening at the Cleveland History Center in University Circle in November 2017.
The $500,000 gift supports both the installation of the new permanent exhibit and the Cleveland Starts Here® digital portal that will provide global audiences with access to WRHS archives and artifacts that tell the story of more than 220 years of Cleveland and northeast Ohio history.
"We are delighted to partner with the Historical Society on this project that inspires pride in our city and region, and catapults incredible stories about our hometown to national and global audiences. By providing online access to the stories of great leaders and events in society, we believe that this project has the power to capture human spirit and inspire excellence in our school children, in our families and in our leaders," said Morton L. Mandel, Chairman and CEO of the Mandel Foundation.
“WRHS is honored by the generous support and partnership with the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation to present this dynamic experience that explores the rich and diverse history of our community. As the trusted steward of the region’s history for nearly 150 years, WRHS uses its collections and resources to educate, enlighten and inspire people to explore our shared past. With Cleveland Starts Here®, we are creating a place for people to gather to discover our shared past and to provide historical context that informs conversations and the decisions that impact society today, and into the future.” says Kelly Falcone-Hall, WRHS President & CEO.
Cleveland Starts Here®, presented by Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation will be installed at the main entrance to the Cleveland History Center in the stately 3,500 square foot Reinberger Gallery, the starting point for the exploration of the social, creative, economic, political, and cultural history of Cleveland and Northeast Ohio. Using the latest multi-media technologies and techniques available to museum designers, guests will discover how a small wilderness town on the shore of Lake Erie became an industrial giant, the home of immigrants and American presidents, a world class center for arts, culture, and education, and a world-renowned innovator in medicine and health care.
Cleveland Starts Here®, presented by Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation is:
- A place for newcomers and travelers to discover the rich history of Cleveland and the region once commonly known as the Western Reserve
- A place for Northeast Ohioans to locate their own stories and place themselves in the rich story of Cleveland and Northeast Ohio
- A place for school children to see and experience firsthand the history of Cleveland and the region, and expand upon the lessons learned in the classroom
WRHS is working with Dennis and Kathy Barrie of Barrie Projects, a local consulting firm specializing in museums, exhibits, and cultural planning projects around the globe. Gallagher & Associates is subcontracted to the project for content development and exhibit design. Notable projects among their collective resumes are The Mob Museum: National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, the International Spy Museum, the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
The convergence of American stories with WRHS’ nationally ranked collections in a high-tech facility will result in a one-of-a-kind first stop for the study and exploration of the humanities, onsite and online. Through Cleveland Starts Here®, presented by Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation, guests to the Cleveland History Center and around the world can explore the history of Cleveland and discover through the lens of local stories how the people, neighborhoods, places, events and movements in our city and region shaped and continues to influence the American experience.
Presently, there is no place in the city or region for audiences to discover this history. With the generous support of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation and a host of community foundations, corporations, and individuals WRHS is pleased to give the gift of Cleveland history to the community on the occasion of its 150thanniversary in 2017.
About the Organization
Founded in 1867, the Western Reserve Historical Society is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Northeast Ohio through its collections, exhibitions, educational programs and historic sites. Headquartered at the Cleveland History Center in University Circle and operating six sites across the region, WRHS connects people to the stories, artifacts and archives that shape Cleveland’s past and present. A Smithsonian Affiliate, WRHS collaborates with cultural and educational institutions to bring history to life for diverse audiences. Learn more at wrhs.org.
