Stepping into a Time Machine

Out of all the museums, I choose the Western Reserve Historical Society.

I enjoyed our tour of the library; it was very interesting seeing how the counties grew. Our tour guide didn’t seem to leave anything out, and showed us how to use the different resources the library had to offer. She also gave us some fun facts to take home with us. After the tour I was very excited to find my grandpa on their computers.

If I were curator I don’t think I would change anything about the museum. All the displays were informational and fun to explore. However, if you wanted any additional information or had any questions, a guide was nearby. The only thing I would try to fix would be the leaky ceiling.

Since Akron and Cleveland depend much on their ecotourism for my final project I want to find a better way to attract more people to our lovely parks down in the Valley for my final project. It would also be fun to attack people on the paths and interview them.

Cleveland; Will the Phoenix Rise Fom the Ashes?

---Ashley Costello---

At one time, Cleveland was one of the major steel producing centers in the United States. It was a major port on the Great Lakes feeding the steel industry by bringing in iron ore, and also by shipping out things such as crops. As the railroad became more and more popular, it helped stimulate Cleveland as a major port even more so because as the ships brought in the goods we could send them to the Midwest. Cleveland was also home to the wealthiest industrialists whose philanthropic support of the arts made the Cleveland Orchestra, the Cleveland Museums of Art and History and Playhouse Square destinations for not only it’s residents but tourists as well. Being an industrial leader was a double edged sword in that the abundance of natural recourses encouraged abuse that led to pollution and destruction which can be graphically illustrated by the burning of the Cuyahoga River.



The loss of Republic Steel, Oglebay Norton, Hanna Mining and BP, to name a few companies, contributed to Cleveland’s decline. The loss of jobs led to the draining of population and monies from the city and the region as a whole. Cleveland schools also suffered during forced busing further leading to a loss of quality education and population.

The revitalization of Cleveland lags behind, its rust belt sister cities for numerous reasons. These reasons, according to some readers of the Plain Dealer, can be delineated into local and or regional problems and possible solutions. On a local level Cleveland must provide a more diversified pool of employment by expanding its focus from just the health care industry to other industries as well. It must encourage new business by providing a clean and safe environment as well as a quality school system for the employees of these new businesses. Tax incentives, better infrastructure and safe and quality housing within the city is a must. The politics of the city must also change and the parade of one party leadership (or the lack thereof) that has been lackluster at best and colored by cronyism and corruption must be changed. As Harry Truman once said, “A leader has to lead; otherwise he has no business in politics.” In order to move forward the city of Cleveland needs bold, energetic, and dynamic leadership.

On a regional level the city of Cleveland and the state of Ohio must work together to attract new industry and businesses by making college education affordable and offering incentives to graduates who accept employment and live in North East Ohio. The city and state must join together to market our region as our sister rust belt cities do with a comprehensive public relations plan that seeks business and tourism on a global scale. Tax incentives for industries, the development of a public rail transportation system throughout the state as well as the reclamation and preservation of our lakefront and other natural resources must me fostered.

I don’t see a thriving metropolitan corridor existing in the Cuyahoga Valley between Akron and Cleveland in the future. The best use of the resource is protecting it within the park system within which it lies and promoting tourism by expanding the activities currently existing there. Certainly small private farms and related businesses as well as bed and breakfasts, skiing facilities, hiking and biking businesses should be encouraged and supported. The preservation of this important part of the history between Cleveland and Akron can be insured by its rebirth as a tourist destination and wildlife sanctuary.


These are devastating times for the city of Cleveland, but it can survive these seismic setbacks because the city has must to recommend it; world class universities, museum and medical facilities, Lake Erie and land ripe for development.

Akron Industry Trip

--Ashley--

Akron succeeded as an industrial spot along the canal for many reasons. For example, many jobs were created as a result of the commerce flowing through the canal. Some of those jobs were building the canal boats, guiding the boats through the locks, and loading and unloading the cargo. This leads to another important reason as to why Akron was very successful at that time. The canal was a great way to transport many goods faster and at one time.

Akron is slowly trying to gain back its economical and cultural success. Not only did they preserve some history by turning the Quaker Mills into hotel’s and offices, they also have the Inventor’s Museum, and Akron University has expanded which attracts many students. The Akron Polymer Science Building is also beneficial because they are helping expand the study of polymers to invent or improve things such as bullet proof vests. Another thing Akron is trying to do is to create as comfortable, and more suburban living place within the city limits. Most are near the park system where they are trying to connect the Cleveland and Akron bike trail.

Also, at my dad’s request, they have the Firestone golf classic.

Akron seems to be heading in a good direction so far, but as Anna said, there is still room for growth.

Ching Ching!

---Ashley Costello---

I thought it was fun to lead my team. I was very lucky to have a group of my well behaved friends. Also, I had an adult on my trip, so it was pretty cool being in charge of someone a lot older than me. The whole leader thing was strange at first though, since I normally seem to be a follower but in the end I enjoyed it.

I tried to keep the learning portion of the bike trip fun and interesting. Not only did I have my group stop and read off the little informational boards along the path, but I also pointed out some other facts that I knew personally. Of course though, this could only go so far and my group was starting to become, well, sleepy. Since we needed to stop anyways, and I needed to wake them up a bit...as we were getting closer to one of the locks I yelled “Car!” which in turn caused everyone to break and look around frantically. I laughed and said “Okay, so there isn’t a car here in the middle of the woods, but there is another lock!” Cheers to their good senses of humor!

I think the idea of learning about the valley by taking the small bike trip was very interesting. Not only were we able to get some fresh air and bike in some great weather (unlike sitting in school where every hallway has its own climate and take notes all day…) it was a fun way to learn. Also, everyone got to learn or better their leadership skills and got the chance to share our valley voyages experience and spread knowledge to others.

Through the Gates of Time

--Ashley Costello--

Taking a walk back in time is always a pleaser, whether self-guided by or others. Although imposed on by the current century, the way of life in each time period is unique and beautiful in its own way.

Both programmed and self-guided tours have their pros and cons. While taking a programmed tour, you are usually only shown a certain part of the history. Also, while much information is being thrown at you it is imperative to follow the group instead of taking the desired time to observe and fascinate on the past. However, the detailed information that is given to you by the tour guide is shared in an organized manner and will provide you with more facts about the things around you. Independence is one of the key factors when it comes to a self-guided tour. Although you are getting much less information, you will get the needed answers for the questions you have. In addition, you may go on your tour in a style that is easy to understand and organized to yourself and may stray and observe for any length of time. Where you go to get your fill of history may decide which option is the better.

Whichever historical place you go to there will always be some form of invasion from the current century. An example might be Stan Hywet. Some of the landscape had been changed and other things added onto the property, dimming the brightness of its authenticity. Also, other than the fact that the building style was that of an Old English manor, it seemed to be too restored and new looking. Everything was in pristine condition, the walls and paneling all darkened and the floor’s shiny and polished. The extensive restoration took away from the building’s historic charm.

There is quite a difference in the standard of living enjoyed by the residents of Stan Hywet as opposed to Hale Farm and village. Hale Farm was a small, spread out town with a tight nit community. They lived in hard times where they depended on their crops, livestock and small jobs to eat and keep a roof over their heads. Unlike the people at Stan Hywet, the town’s folk in Hale Farm had no running water, no electricity and no servants. They had little time to work out, go bowling, or play a game of basketball, even if that did exists back in their time. The Seiberling family had a more lavished life compared to the town’s people of Hale Farm.