Cleveland History Center

Think electric vehicles are new? Cleveland was building them over 125 years ago.

Long before today's electric vehicles hit our roads, there was the EV1.

This 1997 GM EV1 from the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum collection is nearly 30 years old. With home charging capabilities, quick acceleration, and a futuristic design, it offered an early glimpse of the future.

On World Environment Day, we're looking back at one milestone in the history of automotive innovation.

Join us here at the Cleveland History Center for 2026 YP Week: Night at the Museum — an evening celebrating Cleveland’s rich film history and its connection to Hollywood.

Enjoy:
A spotlight talk from a WRHS expert on Hollywood on the Cuyahoga
A self-guided scavenger hunt through the museum
Free admission + cash bar
A fun, low-pressure way to explore, mingle, and connect

June 11, 2026
5:30–8:00 PM
Parking available behind the museum off Magnolia Drive

Register now through Engage! Cleveland: https://engagecleveland.org/events/2026-yp-week-night-at-the-museum/

A little peek into 250 years of American history.

On June 14, join us at the Cleveland History Center for America250 Family Day—an all-ages experience included with museum admission.

Families can take part in hands-on activities connecting the early Western Reserve to the broader story of the United States, explore special exhibitions like Hollywood on the Cuyahoga (presented by PNC as part of America250-Ohio’s Ohio Goes to the Movies), and dig into family history with help from experts in our WRHS Library and Genealogical Committee.

Throughout the day, visitors can also take part in Ohio Trails & Tales stops across the museum:
• Aviation and air race history at the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum
• Cleveland creativity at Euclid Beach Park Carousel
• Innovation stories including Garrett Morgan’s traffic signal and other local inventions
• Transportation history from Cleveland-made cars to Keep on Truckin’: Rise of the Great American Truck

Plus tours of the Hay-McKinney Mansion, and a special appearance by George Washington at 3:30pm.

Pop your head in for a quick stop—or stay for the whole day!

More info & tickets: www.wrhs.org/do-see/events/2026/06/14/america250-family-day