International Heritage Gallery Reception Western Reserve Historical Society July 23, 2025
The Western Reserve Historical Society (WRHS) is working on plans to establish an International Heritage Gallery (IHG) to tell the story of people coming to Cleveland from various places. The timing is perfect with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence of the United States in 2026.
WRHS welcomed 80 people representing more than 30 different ethnic groups to a reception/presentation on July 23, 2025. After a social hour, guests went to the WRHS Library for a special presentation about the plans to create the International Heritage Gallery.
Kelly Falcone Hall, WRHS President & CEO, welcomed guests, and thanked Alex Machaskee, IHG Founder and WRHS Board Member, for his leadership and generous support of the event. She acknowledged members of the IHG Steering Committee, WRHS Board members and all involved for their commitment.
Kelly Falcone Hall
Alex Machaskee shared his vision for the project, many years in the making - a mosaic of the cultures of Greater Cleveland's 118 ethnic communities.
Alex Machaskee
Dennis Barrie, Project Manager and Principal with BarrieProjects, gave more specifics of the plan.
Dennis Barrie
He and Eric Rivet, WRHS Chief Curator, shared preliminary gallery design concepts developed by CEI Design and took questions.
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Eric Rivet
CEI Design Duo
After, guests mingled and were encouraged to explore the Cleveland History Center.
Alex Machaskee, Sawssan Khoury, Pierre Bejjani and Margaret Wong
Here is a video of the presentation.
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