One of Lakewood's greatest assets is its heritage and community history. The Lakewood Public Library and the Lakewood Historical Society are pleased to present this series.

CARING FOR YOUR TEXTILES

Wednesday, Sept. 2
7:00 p.m.
Main Library Auditorium

Nicole Hayes presents an illustrated lecture on understanding the needs of your textile collection, preventing damage through appropriate care, adopting proper storage and handling practices, and monitoring your collection. Hayes is Director of Education for the Intermuseum Conservation Association in Cleveland, the nation’s oldest regional not-for-profit conservation center.

LAKEWOOD—THE MAKING OF A STREETCAR SUBURB

Wednesday, Sept. 23
7:00 p.m.
Main Library Auditorium

In just thirty years, Lakewood transitioned from a small, rural community to a thriving city with new residential and commercial districts. Mazie Adams, Executive Director of the Lakewood Historical Society, explores the development of Lakewood into a streetcar suburb. The population boom between 1890 and 1920 led to new subdivisions, new commercial buildings lining Detroit and Madison, the creation of major utilities services and streetscapes as well as the construction of churches, schools and municipal buildings.

INTERIOR PAINTING IN AN OLDER HOME

Tuesday, Sept. 29
7:00 p.m.
Main Library Auditorium

Have you ever imagined what the interior of your house looked like originally? Is it possible or practical to redecorate your older home in a way that is sensitive to its architectural style? Kerrington Adams, a historic preservation specialist from the Cleveland Restoration Society, showcases various trends in historic painting and takes a look at different types of paint and finishes. He’ll also share techniques for prepping surfaces, repairing plaster, stripping wood work, and analyzing paint samples.

THINK GREEN! PRESERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY IN YOUR OLDER HOME

Thursday, Oct. 15
7:00 p.m.
Main Library Auditorium

Jamie Bertram, Historic Preservation Specialist from the Cleveland Restoration Society, believes that sustainable initiatives and preservation go hand in hand. His program outlines the simple ways that owners of older homes can think green and be environmentally sensitive without changing the historic character of their home. They don’t need to break the budget, either!

THE AMERICAN HOME INTERIOR: Treatment and Transformation

Tuesday, Oct. 27
7:00 p.m.
Main Library Auditorium

Kerrington Adams, Historic Preservation Specialist from the Cleveland Restoration Society, explores the ever evolving interior of the American home over one fascinating century, from the 1850s to the 1950s. Major emphasis is placed on stylistic trends from Greek Revival, Victorian Aesthetic Period, Arts & Crafts, Colonial Revival and Mid-Century Modern. If you own an old house and are in the midst of your own transformation, you’ve probably wondered about appropriate treatments and furnishings. Come and find new sources of inspiration for your period interior!

MARY ELIZABETH BOWSER AND ELIZABETH VAN LEW: WOMEN IN HISTORY

Monday, Nov. 9
7:00 p.m.
Main Library Auditorium

In this special presentation from Women in History, Vernice Jackson brings life to Mary Elizabeth Bowser, the courageous slave who spied on Confederate President Jefferson Davis in his own home and office. Ruth Pangrace, meanwhile, lurks at the side of the stage to portray Elizabeth Van Lew, the woman who owned Bowser, educated her and acted as her spymaster. Using prejudice to her advantage, Bowser allowed a parade of Confederate generals and leaders to assume that she was illiterate and invisible, all while communicating vital information to the Union War effort. No one ever suspected a thing—until right before they almost burned down Richmond!

MID-CENTURY MODERN LAKEWOOD

Thursday, Dec. 3
7:00 p.m.
Main Library Auditorium

While Lakewood is known primarily as a streetcar suburb, tucked among the turn-of-the-century structures are some excellent examples of mid-twentieth century design.  Richard Sicha of the Lakewood Heritage Advisory Board looks at residential, commercial, and institutional buildings from the forties to the seventies.

For more information on Lakewood history, see Lakewood Legacy - a guide to online historical material.