Page 14 - AAA Magazine – AAA Ohio Auto Club – January 2019

The Crawford Auto-Aviation
Museum
Located in the heart of University Circle, the cultural epicenter of Cleveland, is the Cleveland History Center, headquarters for the Western Reserve Historical Society and home of the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum. With 171 automobiles, as well as aircraft and countless transportation history materials, the Crawford represents one of the finest collections of pre-World War I cars in the world and one-of-a-kind vehicles manufactured in the 20th century. Generously supported by the Cleveland Foundation, the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum is a must-see destination for students, auto-aviation enthusiasts and tourists visiting Cleveland and northeast Ohio.
Discover and explore the history of
Northeast Ohio’s auto and aviation
industries and the ever-changing
American experience with transportation.
“Setting the World in Motion” explores the impact of Northeast Ohio on the auto and aviation industries during the first half of the 20th century. Also open, “REVolution,” traces the history of automobile design and technological changes in America from the 1890s to the 21st century.
These cars and aircraft are accompanied by the fascinating stories of their creation, manufacture, use and ownership. It is through these stories that guests discover how the auto industry shaped, and continues to shape, Cleveland and American history.
At one time, Cleveland was home to 115 car manufacturers and a leader of transportation innovation in the United States. Industrialist and entrepreneur
By Kelly Falcone-Hall
Photos courtesy of Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum
Frederick C. Crawford saw the importance of preserving that legacy and began the Thompson Auto Album
at his corporate headquarters of Thompson Products Inc. (later TRW). Crawford gifted the collection on November 22, 1963, to the Western Reserve Historical Society, thereby establishing the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum, built in 1965.
A visit to the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum begins with Cleveland Starts Here, sponsored by the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation. This core Cleveland history exhibition captures the stories of people and place, the legacy of Cleveland and northeast Ohio, and how this city on the lake continues to shape the American experience. From here, visitors
Debra V. – 5 Stars
on Yelp (08/2018)
If you are interested in Cleveland history or not, this museum is very interesting and entertaining for everyone. Exhibits show many things that were invented in Cleveland, famous people from here, clothing, the first DeLorean car off the assembly line ... the list goes on. The display of vehicles is one of the best and includes cars from the’60s and newer, not just the old cars. The carousel is reminiscing
of childhood and is fun to ride. Included in admission is the tour of the Hay Mansion that is connected to the museum. That tour is worth the price of admission. This museum is one of my favorite go-to activities since it’s easy to get around and has good lighting for people of all ages.
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