Western Reserve Historical Society

Hale farm & village hale farm & village, in scenic cuyahoga valley south of cleveland, is an outdoor living history museum of the western reserve historical society. Nineteenth century life is presented at hale to engage, stimulate, and challenge visitors to suspend their disbelief, step back in time, and use the lessons of the past to make informed decisions about the present and the future. The 90-acre site is comprised of 32 historic, restored 19th century structures; a modern visitor's center with gift shop and caf; several gardens, heritage livestock breeds; and the early american craft and trade program featuring glassblowing, blacksmithing, pottery, candle, broom and basket making; and hearth and woodstove cooking. Four generations of the hale family used the land and resources to carve out a niche for themselves in the cuyahoga valley. The museum builds its programming and operations with reverence for the hales' entrepreneurial spirit combined with a deep respect for the past. The goal is to build sustainable operations through engaging educational, family, and community programs. The year-round program calendar follows the seasonal cycle of rural life in northeast ohio. Annual program highlights include the summer civil war encampment which draws hundreds of civil war reenactors and thousands of visitors. Civil war-era history and interpretation is a hallmark of hale programming featured in annual holiday lantern tours of the village and the underground railroad education program. Harvest festival is another annual event drawing thousands of visitors participating in harvest season activities. Hale increasingly considers the connection between entrepreneurship and sustainability in its programs. Student education programs teach the principles of economics in everyday life by exploring the roots of entrepreneurship in northeast ohio and considering wise use of limited resources. The phrase "come home to hale" aptly describes the visitor experience at hale farm & village where one may connect with the past and find its relevance for the present and the future.

Other properties shandy hall is an 1815 home on 115 acres of land in ashtabula county, and consists of a main house and several outbuildings. The home was occupied by seven generations of the same family and contains original furnishings. The site is open to the public for tours by appointment only. Loghurst, in mahoning county, sits on 7.5 acres and includes a circa 1805 log house, believed to be the oldest such structure in northeast ohio. Wrhs enjoys a co-stewardship arrangement with the canfield heritage foundation to operate the site on a seasonal basis. Handyside house is a victorian-style century home located in bedford, ohio. The property is listed in the national register of historic places.