Posted in Cleveland
May 07, 2019
The Little Known Museum Near Cleveland That Will Take You Back In Time
“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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Address: 325 East Iron Avenue, Dover, OH, 44622
Who knew such an incredible estate was located so close to home? Would you visit this stunning mansion?
If you enjoyed this trip through time, you’ll adore these images of Cleveland’s long gone Millionaire’s Row.
