The Little Known Museum Near Cleveland That Will Take You Back In Time
By Nikki Rhoades|Published May 07, 2019
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Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
“Glamour” isn’t a word that many people associate with Cleveland, but we have plenty of it to offer. Our community was once frequented by industrialists, millionaires, and even a few conmen and women. Such wealth resulted in extravagant structures like those on Franklin Boulevard, but luxurious splendor can actually be found throughout Northeast Ohio. Today we’re going to take a trip about 90 minutes outside of Cleveland to travel more than 100 years back in time and immerse ourselves in the glamour of a bygone era.
Welcome to The Reeves Victorian Home & Carriage House Museum, one of the most breathtaking museums in Northeast Ohio.
The J.E. Reeves Victorian Home & Carriage House Museum has garnered quite a reputation of extravagance. This mansion once sat alone on a small hill overlooking a river before the community's growth encroached upon its space and inhibited its views. Though the community has changed, the interior of the mansion appears to be permanently frozen in the Victorian Era.
This unique destination in Dover is overflowing with elegance inside and out.
The grounds of this lovely museum are decorated in the traditional garden style of the Victorian Era, and it seems something is always in bloom from early spring through late fall. Admission to the gardens is free, meaning that you'll be immersed in the sweet aromas of the rose garden before and after your museum visit.
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This former home was built in 1870 as a farmhouse, but it was remodeled extensively in 1989 for industrialist Jeremiah E. Reeves.
Reeves had a taste for the finer things in life. His home was decked out to accommodate his luxurious lifestyle, and he actually lived in the home all the way through his final days.
Now a 17-room Italianate mansion, this structure includes a third-floor ballroom and furnishings once owned by the Reeves family.
At the time of Reeves' passing in 1920, his estate was valued at $1,414,668 - equivalent to nearly $18 million today. You'll find many of his original possessions arranged throughout the home, displayed as they would have been during his lifetime.
The Carriage House Museum is located just behind the home and hides some wondrous treasures.
Visitors have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the Reeves family's original 1892 carriage, as well as items like a rare 1922 electric car. The evolution of transportation is evident in this quaint space, and visitors will doubtlessly find themselves intrigued.
In the upper portion of the Carriage House, you'll find exhibits hinting at the area's rich past.
Dover, like much of Greater Cleveland, grew rapidly in response to the easy access to transportation and trade offered by the area’s canals. During your visit, you'll learn about how this helped shape the development of Dover as a community.
In addition to the standard exhibits and attractions, special events are held at the museum throughout the year that will fuel the passion of your inner history buff.
You definitely won't want to miss this year's Vintage Fashion Show or Murder Mystery Dinner! There are also summertime camps for kids that are tons of fun. You can find a list of events here.
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The Victorian Home & Carriage House Museum offers tours throughout each season, but you'll definitely want to check their website for seasonal hours and further information.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children (ages 6 to 18), and free to children under age 5. You can find the latest information about seasonal hours and discounted admission rates for 2019 here.
While Dover may be a bit of a journey from Cleveland, it's well worth it to venture into the opulence of a bygone era.
