Meet this Hungarian-American organization and its Museum
The Cleveland Hungarian Heritage Society (CHHS) protects and preserves the history of Hungarians in northeast Ohio, USA. Displays include Hungarian artwork, folk costumes and other items of Hungarian heritage. Mission of the organization is to preserve and disseminate Hungarian Culture in Cleveland by serving as a repository for Hungarian historical, cultural, and artistic items so that others, now and in the future, can draw upon this repository for research and enrichment.
History
The Cleveland Hungarian Heritage Society was established as a not-for-profit corporation under Ohio law as of September 13, 1985. The CHHS opened its first museum at St. Elizabeth Church in1986. This opening was welcomed by a Proclamation issued by City Council of Cleveland.
The very first exhibition, entitled the Inaugural Exhibition, was held in 1986. Since that time, the CHHS has organized numerous large scale and small scale exhibitions, as well as many lectures and presentations. Significant exhibitions were the month-long exhibitions at the Cleveland Natural History Museum and at the Beck Center in Lakewood.
The CHHS launched its newsletter, “THE REVIEW” in winter of 1986. The REVIEW is subtitled “The Second One Hundred Years” in recognition of the fact that significant waves of Hungarian immigration to the US took place more than 100 years ago in the 1880s. Now Hungarian-Americans are entering into a second one hundred years of settlement in the United States. In its first two years, the REVIEW was funded by Grants from the Ohio Arts Council and came out quarterly.
Museum
The CHHS opened the Hungarian Heritage Museum in the Richmond Mall in1996. Three years later, the CHHS reopened the Hungarian Heritage Museum in its new location at the Euclid Square. In addition to its Museum collection, the CHHS has been working to organize its significant archival and library collections.
Honors
Last year, CHHS was the Hungarian American Coalition’s award recipient. At the Coalition’s Gala Dinner, Dr. Peter Kovalszki introduced the Cleveland Hungarian Heritage Society. Dr. Kovalszki praised the work of the Society, whose volunteers have established a Museum known as the “the heartbeat of Hungarian culture in Northeast Ohio.” The Museum has become the main gathering place for Cleveland Hungarians, hosting many dignitaries, mounting special and permanent exhibits, organizing conferences, maintaining an extensive library and operating a gift shop.
Volunteers needed!
The Cleveland Hungarian Heritage Society is looking for volunteers to staff the museum.
Contact information:
Hungarian Heritage Society
P. O. Box 24134 Cleveland, Ohio 44124216 phone: 523-3900
Website: ClevelandHungarianMuseum.org
Sources: wikipedia.org, hacusa.org, ClevelandHungarianMuseum.org