Here is a link to Don’s obituary During our staff meeting on Tuesday while we were celebrating Kerry’s first day at work, we spent a lot time talking about Don. We shared memories of this amazing man who always had stories about growing up in Chagrin Falls. He knew everything. He was sweet, funny, and so smart! We are so grateful for everything he contributed to the Historical Society through his research, stories, and his presence in our building was … Read More
UPDATE: The 5pm tours are SOLD OUT! Chagrin Falls Historical Society presents: SPIRITS ALIVE! At Evergreen Hill Cemetery Join us for our fourth annual Spirits Alive! Evergreen Hill Cemetery tour. You will be guided to seven graves in the cemetery. At each grave, you will meet the spirit who lives there and hear their story! While this is an annual event, the spirits who come out to talk to you are different each year! This year you will hear stories … Read More
Our annual Gala fundraiser is back but still a little different due to COVID. We will have our Gift Basket Raffle during our Backyard BBQ Bash on Saturday, August 21 from 5:30-8pm. If you are unable to join us at the event but would still like to support the Historical Society by purchasing raffle tickets then you can do so now! Tickets are sold in groups of six for $20. Please let us know below how many tickets you would … Read More
Click here to purchase online! Details:-Tickets are $75 per person, kids 12 & under are free!-Parking at Intermediate School behind the Historical Society-You know we love costumed galas but a costume is not required!-RSVP 440-247-4695 or pay online www.chagrinhistory.org Live Entertainment!Magician Rick Smith, Jr.DJ Firehouse Rockyard gamesgift basket raffle! Food:-All you can eat BBQ buffet from Winking Lizard will be served from 6-7pm.-Kids meal available upon request. NEW SPONSOR ALERT: GANLEY CHEVY OF AURORA!Thank you to our Sponsors! (as of … Read More
Chagrin Falls Historical Society & Museum Seeks an Administrative Assistant Description of General DutiesThe Chagrin Falls Historical Society & Museum seeks a part-time Administrative Assistant to provide administrative support and customer service to maintain daily museum operations. The Administrative Assistant reports to the Executive Director. Average work week is 25-30 hours Tuesday through Saturday. Hours may vary depending on deadlines and time-sensitive tasks, including some weekends and evenings to meet the public service needs of the Society and Museum. Essential … Read More
Join us for a family friendly Backyard BBQ Bash from 5:30-8pm on Saturday, August 21, 2021. The event will take place in the backyard of the Historical Society at 87 East Washington St. There will be no parking at the Historical Society, guests must park in the Intermediate School parking lot. Bring your dancing shoes and enjoy music by DJ Firehouse Rock, yard games, and a gift basket raffle! The BBQ buffet is all you can eat and will be … Read More
The Chagrin Falls Historical Society and Museum presents the Chagrin Falls Community 4th of July Celebration! In partnership with Safe Routes Chagrin, Chagrin Falls Studio Orchestra, Chagrin Valley Little Theatre and the D.A.R. please join us beginning at 8:30am for a fun and family friendly day of events in Triangle Park! Schedule of Events for Sunday, July 4, 20218:30am Registration for Pet Parade & Bike Parade9:00am Pet Parade begins on North Franklin St near bandstand9:20am Bike Parade begins (after Pet … Read More
On May 20th the Historical Society hosted a birthday party for local artist Henry Church, Jr.. He turned a ripe 185 years old! This was the first indoor/outdoor event that we have had in over a year and it felt so good to have people in the museum again. This party was also the unveiling of “Big Henry” the larger than life self portrait that was donated to the museum last year by Jane Babinsky, a descendant of Henry Church … Read More
The Chagrin Falls Historical Society & Museum is proud to present our first in person event in months! Henry Church Jr.’s 185th Birthday Party! Join us on Thursday, May 20, 2021 anytime between 4-6:30pm for cupcakes and lemonade on our front porch! During the celebration, visitors will be able to enter the museum and view for the very first time, a self portrait of Henry Church Jr. which was donated to us last year by his descendant, Jane Babinsky in … Read More
The Chagrin Falls Historical Society & Museum invites you to learn the history of Chagrin Falls Park. Through our Photo Archive and research conducted by Historian Andrew Wiese, learn about how the area called Chagrin Falls Park began and how the community has grown throughout history. In conjunction with this exhibit, we are proud to announce that we are republishing Andrew Wiese’s 1986 case study “A Place of Our Own: The Chagrin Falls Park from 1921-1950”. Collaborating with Wiese, Chagrin … Read More
Creating a public park in Chagrin Falls was first discussed in 1924 by Mayor John Church (the grandson of Henry Church, Sr.). His vision for the park was the central location for Village Administrative offices. While the park never became that, it did become the center for Village civic and cultural events. Acquiring the land The owner of some land behind the homes on East Orange Street offered to sell it to the Village for $1,000. After that purchase, the … Read More
Grove Hill was so named because of the grove of Maple trees that was located along the top of the hill. Historically, Grove Hill encompassed the area from where Summit intersects with Chagrin Blvd on the west, to North Street on the East. The first resident on Grove Hill was Noah Graves, who is credited with being the founder of Chagrin Falls. His home is depicted in a woodcut below by Jehu Brainerd. The History of Grove Hill is intertwined … Read More
Chagrin Falls Park is a neighborhood in Bainbridge just beyond the border of Chagrin Falls. For many years it was primarily a black neighborhood but today it is more racially diverse. The beginnings of how this neighborhood was formed is consistently misconstrued to this day. The Historical Society frequently receives inquiries regarding the history. We also see and hear a lot of misinformation on social media regarding the history which we constantly try to correct. We do not excuse the … Read More
When the settlers arrived at the High Falls, the area forming the triangle in the center of town was a swamp with a stream running through it. In 1873, the Village bought the property from its owners, contained the stream in an underground culvert, and dried out the area bounded by N. Main, N. Franklin and E. Washington Sts. A park was a perfect addition to the modern town. Trees were planted around the perimeter, a fountain was added at … Read More
Township Hall, formerly known as Library Hall and Town Hall, was built in 1848 as a public library and lecture hall. It was purchased by the Township Trustees in 1864 as an office for the Trustees and to serve as a place to hold elections, in addition to serving as lecture hall. In 1875, responding to a public call to update the building, the Trustees hired Cleveland architect Joseph Ireland to enlarge the hall, add a jail, a Township office, … Read More