In 1657, Gerret Van Sweringen, a crew member aboard the Dutch West India Company’s ship Prince Maurice, sailed from Amsterdam to the Dutch Colony of New Amstel now New Castle, in Delaware. Leaving the Prince Maurice at that port, Gerret decided to stay in the New World, and it was not long before he was involved in trading and “land cultivation,” and had been appointed as sheriff, commissary, and as a member of council. A few years later, after the Dutch colony passed to the British, Gerret moved to Maryland where he became an “innholder,” landowner, alderman, and sheriff.

Gerret Van Sweringen became a man of monetary and social affluence, and it seems that this first-generation American set a family precedent. For nearly 200 years, all of the Van Sweringens were successful, and it was not at all in keeping with this tradition when one of Gerrett’s descendants, James Tower, faced hardships he could not overcome.

James was born in the Pennsylvania-Dutch district of Juniata County, Pennsylvania but later moved to Ohio. He served in the Civil War and suffered injuries at the Battle of Spotsylvania that bothered him for the remainder of his life.

James returned to Pennsylvania after the war, married Jeanne Curtis, and had four children—Edith, Carrie, Herbert, and Maud Aline. He then moved to Wooster, Ohio, where two more children were born. It was these children, Oris Paxton, known as O. P., and Mantis James, known as M. J., who were to rise from poverty to become two of this nation’s most prominent empire builders.

Thank you. Your support is appreciated!

Sincerely,

Ann Cicarella

Thank you for becoming a member of the Shaker Historical Society.

Sincerely,

Ann Cicarella

The SHS believes that memory of place and stories have the power to build authentic communities of shared meaning and values, and is dedicated to sharing the fascinating history of Shaker Heights.  Through the inspiring stories of visionaries that have played an integral role in the development and ongoing evolution of Shaker Heights, the SHS celebrates the past, present, and future of Shaker Heights.

Many generations of visitors will follow in your footsteps and serve as ambassadors of our local history, spreading the SHS’s message throughout Northeast Ohio and beyond.  For that reason, we are asking for your financial support.

Your generous support allows the museum to continue to expand our mission and helps us to:

• present rich and diverse events and programs
• magnify our internship program to provide students with experiences in preservation, collection management, and historical inquiry
• train and engage volunteers
• collaborate with many area schools, while customizing presentation to fit their needs
• mount relevant, education, and entertaining permanent and rotating exhibits
• welcome visitors from every state in the US and from countries all over the world
• maintain a new website designed to connect students and researchers to our extensive collection
• develop collaborative relationships with local institutions, historians, authors, artists, and businesses

We have expanded our exhibits and programs with a keen focus on the citizens of Northeast Ohio of all ages and abilities.  We are more committed than ever to providing exhibit and delivering programs of excellence, depth, and accessibility.

Your gift at the most generous level possible supports all the SHS’s exhibits, initiatives, and programs, and will allow us to continue to share the importance of local history.

What will your gift help accomplish?

• Restore our 1917 La France Fire Engine–Shaker Heights’ first fire truck
• Transform an unused bedroom into a hands-on learning center for children
• Restore the third floor ballroom for expanded exhibit space
• Convert an unused bedroom into exhibit space focusing on the unparalleled architects and architecture of Shaker Heights

Your fully tax-deductible gift makes a difference in our community and the lives of our citizens, neighbors, friends, and students.  Please show your support today by making a gift to The Shaker Historical Society.  Only with your help can we continue our outreach and meet the needs of future generations.

Thank you for your support!

You’ll be taken to the PayPal website and then returned to the Shaker Historical Society’s website after your donation is complete.

The Spirit Tree Museum Shop offers unique educational books, cards, souvenirs, and fine Shaker-style reproductions, and is a member of The Museum Store Association. Your purchase helps to support the museum and is truly “a gift twice given.” The Spirit Tree is open during regular Museum hours. Come in and see what you can find!