Cleveland Cultural Sites
Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame & Museum on the Cleveland waterfront; (c) Erik Drost/This Is Cleveland
Jesse Owens Monument
DESCRIPTION: This bronze statue has the same 5’10” dimensions as the man it honors. Jesse Cleveland Owens (1913-1980) competed at the Big Ten Championships on 25 May 1935, where he set three world records and tied a fourth in 45 minutes. At the 1936 Berlin Olympics, he became the first athlete in recorded history to earn 4 gold medals. His exploits so frustrated a racist Adolf Hitler, that he left Berlin Olympic Stadium early. For years, Jesse Owens held the world record for the 100-yard dash at 9.4 seconds. A graduate of Ohio State University, Owens’s off-the-field achievements were even bigger, as he and boxer Joe Louis helped reduce the barriers of racism at home. His courage is profiled in the 2016 Hollywood movie, Race. Unlike today, where gold medal Olympians receive lucrative endorsements, Jesse had to work a series of odd jobs before finding his life’s calling as Director of the Chicago Boys Club and inspirational speaker. In 1976, President Gerald Ford presented him with the Medal of Freedom in front of the U.S. Montreal Olympic team.
ADDRESS: Fort Huntington Park at West 3rd Street and Lakeside Avenue, Cleveland, OH
WEBSITE: http://www.jesseowens.com
Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame & Museum
DESCRIPTION: A state-of-the-art museum and hall of fame dedicated to the legends of Rock n’ Roll; dedicated fans of Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Muddy Waters, and Lead Belly will find important display artifacts from their careers in an immaculately designed lakefront facility. Even if you visited before, it’s worth a second drop-in for the frequently changing exhibits. No photography is permitted in the museum.
ADMISSION: $$ see website for the range of price options
DAYS & HOURS: daily 10a-5:30p
ADDRESS: 1100 Rock n’ Roll Blvd, Cleveland, OH
PHONE: 216-781-7625
WEBSITE: http://www.rockhall.com
Karamu House
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1915, Karamu Theatre, is the nation’s oldest multi-cultural playhouse. Many African American artists gravitated here since it was the only place providing a venue for their work. Theatre is the linchpin of the cultural complex. August Wilson, Ted Lange, and Langston Hughes’ plays are commonly performed here. Famous alumni include Ruby Dee, Ron O’Neal, and Robert Guillaume. The Black Film Festival in February is hosted by a local historian who covers films from the 1930s to 1950s. The school portion of the complex provides classes in art, drama, dance, music, ceramics, and photography. Just entering the doors is inspirational.
ADDRESS: 2355 East 89th Street, Cleveland, OH
PHONE: 216-795-7070
WEBSITE: http://www.karamu.com
Karamu House, the home of great Black Theatre in “The Land”; (c) This Is Cleveland
African American Cultural Center
DESCRIPTION: The CSU Black Studies Program operates an African-American Cultural Center, which displays a permanent collection of African art combined with revolving exhibits of the art, culture, and history of peoples of the African Diaspora.
ADDRESS: Cleveland State University Center at 2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH
PHONE: 216-687-2000
WEBSITE: http://www.csuohio.edu/blackstudies
African American Archive Collection
DESCRIPTION: Located in the Western Reserve Historical Society building, one can find many photographs, records, and memoirs of many prominent Black Clevelanders. It has hosted an exhibit on the life stories of Clevelanders Carl and Louis Stokes to illuminate and define broader issues in African American and urban history during the Twentieth Century. Carl Stokes became Mayor of Cleveland, a municipal judge, and a U.S. Ambassador. His brother Louis Stokes became a 15-term U.S. Congressman and a pivotal figure in the Black Caucus. The collection is managed by the Western Reserve Historical Society.
ADDRESS: 10825 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH
PHONE: 216-721-5722
WEBSITE: http://www.wrhs.org
African American Museum
DESCRIPTION: Established in 1953 by Icabod Flewellen, the museum provided an authentic glimpse of Blacks’ role in the development of America. It moved to this location in the Hough District in 1984. A variety of small to large exhibits, which included African art and artifacts, complemented community cultural outreach programs, independent films, and lectures. The museum held storytelling on the 1st and 2nd Saturdays. NASA Lewis Research Center contributed to several exhibits.
DAYS & HOURS: MOn-Fri 8a-5p
ADDRESS: 1765 Crawford Road, Cleveland, OH
PHONE: 216-791-1700
WEBSITE:https://www.clevelandohio.gov/explore/about-cleveland/designated-landmarks/african-american-museum/