Western Reserve Historical Society & Mansion050

At the Western Reserve Historical Society and Hay-McKinney Mansion, it's "lifestyles of the rich and famous" meets the History Channel. The museum complex has multiple personalities, and many, many rooms...

When it was built in 1908, the Hay-McKinney Mansion was purposefully located off Millionaire's Row to give Mrs. Clara Stone Hay the feeling that she lived in the country. And back in 1908, Wade Park probably felt very much like "the country." Today, visitors can tour the mansion - and another, the connected Bingham-Hanna House - for one price, and gain admission to Crawford Aviation and Auto Museum, to boot.

The new Kidzibits Family Education Center gives kids the chance to don historic dress-up clothes, learn to create a family tree, play with puppets and old-fashioned toys, attend weekly storytimes, and build and explore.

Tours of the mansions offer a look at what life was like inside for the owners and their hired help; an upstairs/downstairs sort of presentation is offered by costumed interpreters who are both very knowledgeable and approachable.

The Chisholm Halle Costume Wing is of special interest to the fashion-conscious set, and rotating exhibitions in other attached galleries change several times a year, with topics ranging from football to medicine.

For parties of 15 or more, group tours can be arranged for $1 off regular admission; contact the office at 216.721.5722 for information.