Exploring the Cleveland Cultural Gardens

Join historian Dr. John Grabowski and photographer Lauren Pacini for this FREE PROGRAM during which they will discuss and explore the history of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. Grabowski and Pacini are co- authors of the book "Cleveland's Cultural Gardens: A Landscape of Diversity," published in 2022.

The unique collection of landscaped, themed gardens that compose Cleveland's Cultural Gardens holds a rich history. Grabowski and Pacini will present a comprehensive view of the factors that made the Cultural Gardens possible, from Cleveland's geographical features to international conflicts. Through this chronicle of the gardens' changing landscapes, the speakers will explore a gripping narrative of shifting attitudes toward immigration, both locally and nationally. Throughout both world wars, the Cold War, and more recent events, the gardens' composition has changed to reflect more diversity, now encompassing 33 individual gardens that honor cultures and countries with connections to Cleveland.

THIS PROGRAM IS PRESENTED IN CONJUCTION WITH THE LITTLE ITALY GARDEN WALK https://www.gardenwalkcleveland.org/little-italy/

IT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Questions: [email protected] or 216-417-6474

Dr. John J. Grabowski’s interests and research span the fields of public and academic history. He specializes in the areas of immigration and ethnicity; local (Cleveland) urban history;and public history, particularly the fields of archives and museums. He holds a joint appointment with the Department of History at CWRU and the Western Reserve Historical Society, where he serves as Historian and Senior Vice President for Research and Publications. In addition to teaching at the department he also oversees the World Wide Web edition of The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History/Dictionary of Cleveland Biography, a joint project of Case Western Reserve University and the Western Reserve Historical Society.

Lauren Pacini is a photographer and author. As a photographer Pacini strives to understand the story behind the subject matter to which he is drawn, and to convey that story through his art. Pacini believes that black-and-white photography offers a compelling richness of detail, texture and contrast that is often obscured by the color pallet. His photographs generally do not include people. Feeling that the inclusion of people defines the photograph, he prefers to encourage the viewer to interpret the photograph in the context of his or her own experience.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Italian American Museum of Cleveland, 12111 Mayfield Road, Cleveland, United States