Learn About Brecksville’s History at the Library

In honor of Brecksville’s , the is hosting a series of historically themed presentations and programs throughout the year.

The first event, “Center of It All,” took place last Saturday. The library’s meeting room was filled, with people even standing along the back and side walls to learn more about the city’s history. Cathie Clager narrated a slide show of examples and old photographs, giving an overview of the people who have lived in what is now Brecksville, from different Native American communities to the first settlers from New England to the farmers of the 1820s. 

Clager will be putting on five presentations throughout the year at the library, each looking at a different part of the city’s past. The next event, “I Know That Place,” will take a closer look at landmarks around Brecksville.

Clager said that although she was not originally from Brecksville, she has a strong affection for the city. The city has a strong sense of community, she added, and she finds it interesting to learn about its history. Clager, a retired history teacher and member of the Brecksville Historical Association, thinks that other people who have moved to Brecksville would also be interested in learning more about their city.  The presentations are her way to help the city celebrate its anniversary.

Frank DeWolf, co-chair of the Brecksville Bicentennial Committee, said that the events will appeal to all ages. DeWolf added that the events are a good—and free—way for people to be involved in the bicentennial and learn about their city’s history.

In addition to Clager’s presentations, the library will be sponsoring other historical programs. On March 26, the library is sponsoring a genealogy day with Cuyahoga County Genealogy Specialist Joni Mihelich. 

Mihelich will run a beginning genealogy class in the morning, giving a general overview of the process and helping people figure out how to begin searching through their family history. She said she’ll talk about interviewing relatives and go over some forms that can be used to track the information people find, in addition to discussing the kinds of records that can be useful in such a search. 

The second session of the day will go over the different databases people can use for their search in the Cuyahoga County library system, and the third session will be an open question and answer time. Mihelich said that if anyone has a specific question about a document they’ve found or research they’ve conducted, the question and answer session would be the time to bring it up.

Schedule of upcoming historical events at the library:

• "Library Genealogy Day," March 26
• *"I Know That Place," April 17
• "Dolley Madison," May 7
• *"War Heroes and the Home Front, Part I," July 21
• *"War Heroes and the Home Front, Part II," Aug. 18
• "Life of a Civil War Soldier," Sept. 22
• *"Cemeteries and Their Famous Residents," Oct. 13

* Narrated by Cathie Clager

Schedule and program titles compiled from information available at the historical presentation on Feb. 26.