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Founded in 1947, the Shaker Historical Society collects, preserves, and interprets the history of Shaker Heights to inspire curiosity and foster engagement between diverse communities and the people, events, and stories that shape local history.
Upcoming Programs & Events
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.
Current Exhibits
History is Messy — March 7 - June 1, 2025
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. The upcoming viewing of History is Messy highlights selections from this body of work, including photographs of Cleveland-area Carnegie libraries. This exhibit is supported in part by residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.
Shaker Sells — March 7 - August 10, 2025
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 is co-curated by Cleveland State University student Elliot Rendall and is supported in part by residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.