WESTERN RESERVE ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIANS

CLEVELAND, OHIO

A Chapter of the SOCIETY of ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIANS

WRAH SPRING 2024 PROGRAMS
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Date:                Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 10:30 AM
Subject:        The Darl Collection
Speaker:        Darl Schaaff, Founder & Curator
Place:                Historic Carnegie Library Building in Slavic Village
5437 Broadway Avenue  Cleveland, Ohio 44127

Located in an historic, former Carnegie Library building, dating to 1904 and the first to be constructed in Cleveland, the Darl Collection is an eclectic body of artwork ranging from Andy Warhol to antique Japanese furniture. Amassed over a lifetime of travel, owner and founder Darl Schaaff has assembled an intriguing mix of both his own creations and the artistic work of others.  Mr. Schaaff will discuss the design and history of the library, the renovation and repurposing of the structure, and lead a tour of the building and the collection.
Directions:
  The Darl Collection is located on the north side of the street and can be accessed from Interstate 490E via the Broadway exit or from the Opportunity Corridor via East 55th St. to Broadway Ave. Parking is available a short distance to the west in a lot on the same side of Broadway at Barkwill Avenue. Attendees may also park on Broadway in designated areas.
RSVP reservations to Sarah Klann at  (440) 409-4245 or email saklann@netzero.net by
Monday, March 11. 

Date:                Sunday, April 21, 2024 at 2:30 PM
Subject:
        "The Heights Before the Van Sweringens"
Speaker:        Lauren R. Pacini, Architectural Photographer and Local History Author including Coming book - EMPIRE BUILDERS: AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF THE RISE AND FALL OF CLEVELAND'S VAN SWERINGEN BROTHERS
Place:        Shaker Heights Main Library, 16500 Van Aken Boulevard, Shaker Heights, OH 44120
Attendees will be directed to the appropriate 2nd floor meeting room.

From near Wooster, Ohio, and living in abject poverty, the Sweringen family moved to Geneva, in Ashtabula County, where the mother, the rock of the family, died.  With the father, a disabled Civil War veteran and alcoholic, unable to provide for his five children, the family moved to Cleveland so the eldest son could fill their father's role as bread winner, while the two sisters shared their deceased mother's role, caring for the two younger brothers.  The youngest brothers' early business failures could be forgiven with that family background.  Eager to succeed, and with the examples set by the earliest developers of today's Cleveland Heights as tutorials and no money of their own, O.P. (1879-1936) and M.J (1881-1935). Van Sweringen rose to be among the wealthiest men in America.  That is until they lost it all, and more.  "The Heights Before the Van Sweringens" will look at the successes and failures of their mentors.
RSVP reservations to Sarah Klann at  (440) 409-4245 or email saklann@netzero.net by
Monday, April 15. 

Date:                Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 10:00 AM
Subject:        Historic Sites on Millionaire's Row in Warren, OH
Speaker:        Representatives from each site.
Place:        Walking tour starting at the Upton Association Women's Park, The 1832 Kinsman House, 1876 First Presbyterian Church, the 1894 Morgan House and the 1840 Harriet Taylor Upton Home all within 2 city blocks.

The tour will be followed by a box lunch at the Upton House.
Separate luncheon reservation form and parking information will be sent in early April.

Date:                Friday, June 7, 2024 at 3:30 PM
Subject:        The New Headquarters of the Cleveland Foundation
Speakers:        Lillian Kuri, President & CEO, Rosanne Potter, Chief Growth Officer & CFO,
Victor (Vic) Barbalato, VP, Real Estate, (formerly Senior Project Architect at Vocon)
Michael Hood, Senior Manager, Real Estate & Community Development
Place:        
Steven A. Minter Conference Center
The Cleveland Foundation, 6601 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44103

For over a century the Cleveland Foundation has addressed the needs of Greater Cleveland not only through targeted grants but also by the leadership and guidance that the foundation provides to the community.  In 2023, the Cleveland Foundation moved its headquarters to the Midtown Corridor and into a new building which welcomes both neighborhood and at large involvement. The speakers will discuss the history and purpose of the foundation, the impetus that led to the new home and location of the foundation, the design and construction of the new structure as well as future plans for development in the area adjacent to the foundation along Euclid Avenue and to the north along East 66th Street. A tour of the building will follow the talk.
Directions:  
The foundation is easily accessible by public transportation or automobile.  Free parking is available in the covered & gated lot off E. 66th St.at the corner of E. 66th St. & Chester Ave.  Attendees may press the button on the intercom to communicate with the front desk, where the gate can be opened remotely. When exiting the lot, the gate will open automatically via sensor.  Enter the building through the main entrance of the south side of the building on East 66th St. near Euclid Ave. and check in with the receptionist. 
RSVP reservations to Steve Kish at (440) 382-7454 or email stevekish74@aol.com by Monday, June 3.