Photo: Hilary Bovay
Paving the Path Forward: the 2026 Summer Soiree
Join us for an unforgettable evening at Dunham Tavern Museum & Gardens’ annual Summer Soiree, to “Pave the Path Forward!” As we gather to celebrate, we proudly unveil our new Heritage Trail—a thoughtfully designed walking path that invites visitors to explore the natural beauty and rich stories woven throughout our grounds.
Nestled within vibrant greenspace, Dunham Tavern stands as a cherished historic treasure, connecting past generations to the present. This year’s event highlights not only the preservation of our museum but also our commitment to creating meaningful experiences for the future. The Heritage Trail symbolizes growth, accessibility, and a renewed dedication to welcoming all who seek to learn, reflect, and connect.
The Summer Soiree offers an elegant evening of community spirit, engaging conversation, and support for a place that holds deep cultural significance. Your attendance or sponsorship of the Soiree helps sustain our mission to preserve history while expanding opportunities for education and engagement. Together, we can honor the legacy of Dunham Tavern while paving a bright and lasting path forward!
Sponsorships and tickets AVAILABLE NOW!
PROGRAM CHANGE: Women in History presents Lucy Stanton
PROGRAM CHANGE: Lucy Stanton will be visiting instead of Cassie Chadwick!
Lucy Ann Stanton Day Sessions was born October 16, 1831 in Cleveland Ohio. She, along with her stepfather John Brown the barber, were very active on the Underground Railroad helping freedom seekers in Cleveland. Lucy was one of the first black woman to graduate from Oberlin College. She was president of the Oberlin Women’s Literary Society. She was asked to deliver the graduation speech which was entitled “A Plea For The Oppressed.” She was a champion for civil, social and political rights.
Women in History is a local group of actresses who portray notable American women from our country's history. Robin Echols Cooper is a storyteller, performing and visual artist. Robin grew up on a small farm in Chardon, Ohio where she enjoyed listening to songs and wonderful stories. She has been writing and sharing stories all of her life. Robin received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications with minors in art and theater from Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. She has been telling stories professionally since 1992. Ms. Echols Cooper’s unique style takes you on an animated journey as she weaves tales from around the world.
Free and open to the public, registration not required but encouraged.
Raptors of Northeast Ohio
Presented by Matthew Valencic of the Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland
Raptors are birds that get their food by hunting other birds or mammals. We know them as Eagles, Hawks, Falcons and Owls. Some live here year-round while others visit only during the winter. Enjoy pictures and natural history of the 19 species typically found in NE Ohio throughout the year.
FREE and open to the public, registration not required by encouraged.
2026 Soup Supper
Bring a dish to share to this potluck-style gathering featuring the perfect cold weather dish, SOUP! There will be ham, salads, bread, dessert, and beverages too. Our evening also includes entertainment!
This event is now free of charge, but registration and a potluck contribution are required. Register by completing this FORM, or by calling the Museum at 216-431-1060.
The Lantern Theatre: A Christmas Carol
An old tradition made new in the Dunham Barn-- a one-hour reading of Mr. Dickens’ masterwork will be accompanied by hot cocoa, cider, baked goods and Christmas cheer and will be followed by Christmas carols sung by all. Come celebrate the season!
Tickets $20; $10 for 18 +under
Get your tickets HERE!
Holiday Open House
Open house tours of the Museum, refreshments, and live music in the Barn!
FREE and open to the public!
Candlelight Gathering
Experience a magical time when the Museum is decked out in seasonal splendor. This special tradition returns this December--featuring an open bar, heavy hors d'oeurves, and festive Irish music. Valet parking provided.
Tickets $65 for members; $75 for non-members
Get your tickets HERE!
Music in the Barn: Minchae Kim
Born in South Korea, Minchae Kim began playing the violin at the age of seven. She gave her concerto debut at age nine with Jeonju Philharmonic Orchestra and debut recital at age fourteen in Kumho Art Hall as a Kumho Young Artist. She has won numerous competitions in South Korea and performed with orchestras including Jeonju Philharmonic Orchestra, Moldova Radio Symphony Orchestra, and Gimpo Philharmonic Orchestra. Minchae received her B.M., M.M, and G.D. at the New England Conservatory under Miriam Fried, Donald Weilerstein and Soovin Kim. Minchae is recent graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music, studying under Jaime Laredo.
FREE and open to the public. Registration is encouraged, but not required.
The Lantern Theatre: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Join us in the Dunham Barn as The Lantern Theatre performs Washington Irving’s famous ghostly tale through storytelling and song. Enjoy seasonal treats, baked goods, coffee, and cider!
These performances will include ASL interpretation!
Get your tickets HERE!
John Brown: the Dulcimer Diaries
Book by Treva Offutt
Music by Craig Matis
Lyrics by Craig Matis and Treva Offutt
The institution of slavery divided our nation between those who owned slaves and those who believed that it was a sin against God. There is a deep parallel between the political polarization of the mid-1800's and the issues that are being addressed in our country today. While the reasons for this current division are different than they were in the 1800's, the reality is that this nation is polarized along political lines.
"John Brown: The Dulcimer Diaries" will focus on this division through the eyes of John Brown, his life, and the events that led him to the raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859. While Brown is the main subject of this musical/radio play, the many people, black and white, who supported and influenced him in his battle against slavery will have their stories told, as well.
This production is supported in part by a grant from the Ohio Arts Council.
$20/person; 18 and under $10/person
19th Century Cooking
Enjoy a taste of the early 19th century as you learn about how people cooked and what they ate. Teacher and historic foodways enthusiast Elizabeth Greco will prepare some early American recipes and discuss some of the major changes in cooking and baking of the time period. Attendees will get to sample the items made. Outdoors, weather permitting.
This event is FREE and open to the public, but space is limited and REGISTRATION is required.
The Summer Stop
THIS WEEK: Jam out with Jason Carter aka DJ Joker and food from BO’s Smokey Sticks and Delish Mobile Kitchen!
Enjoy live music and food trucks on 2nd and 4th Wednesdays this summer on the Dunham grounds! Pack a picnic lunch or check out a rotating variety of local food truck vendors. The Museum will also be open for extended hours and special programming.
Open to everyone! Rain location in Dunham Barn.
Special thanks to Leo’s Casino Arts & Music Collaboratory and Neighborhood Connections for their participation and support!
Summer Soiree
A Round of Applause for the Winery at Chateau Hough and Leo's Casino Arts & Music Collaboratory
This year, we proudly honor two trailblazing organizations: Leo’s Casino Arts & Music Collaboratory and The Winery at Chateau Hough. Led by long-time neighborhood resident and visionary Ron Fuqua, the Collaboratory celebrates the legacy of the iconic Leo’s Casino by spreading hope and unity through music and arts education, inspiring a new generation. The Winery at Chateau Hough stands as a symbol of revitalization in Cleveland’s historic Hough neighborhood, transforming urban land into a flourishing vineyard and gathering place. Brenda Frazier is the heart and soul of Chateau Hough, and the vineyard’s work continues to honor the brilliance of its founder, Mansfield Frazier.
These organizations continue to embody the spirit of community, creativity, and resilience—breathing life into Cleveland’s past while building a brighter, more inclusive future.
Live musical entertainment featuring artists of the Leo's Casino Arts & Music Collaboratory!
*Open bar and dinner under the tent! *Silent Auction! *More fun and surprises in store!
Complimentary valet parking provided.
Get your TICKETS or SPONSOR the event!
The Summer Stop
THIS WEEK: Music from The Indigo Affair and food from BO’s Smokey Sticks and off the GRIDdle!
Enjoy live music and food trucks on 2nd and 4th Wednesdays this summer on the Dunham grounds! Pack a picnic lunch or check out a rotating variety of local food truck vendors. The Museum will also be open for extended hours and special programming.
Open to everyone! Rain location in Dunham Barn.
Special thanks to Leo’s Casino Arts & Music Collaboratory and Neighborhood Connections for their participation and support!
Music in the Barn: Larry & Joe
Larry & Joe is the duo of Joropo maestro Larry Bellorín (Monagas, Venezuela) and GRAMMY-nominated bluegrass and oldtime star Joe Troop (Winston-Salem, North Carolina). These two virtuosic multi-instrumentalists fuse their respective Venezuelan and Appalachian folk traditions on the harp, banjo, cuatro, fiddle, upright bass, guitar, and maracas to prove that music has no borders. Their engaging bilingual (esp / eng) program includes storytelling, humor, singalongs, and dancing.
Tickets are $20 in advance HERE; $25 day of show on Eventbrite or at the door.
The Summer Stop
THIS WEEK: Jazz tunes from Ted Darden and food from off the GRIDdle and Delish Mobile Kitchen!
Enjoy live music and food trucks on 2nd and 4th Wednesdays this summer on the Dunham grounds! Pack a picnic lunch or check out a rotating variety of local food truck vendors. The Museum will also be open for extended hours and special programming.
Open to everyone! Rain location in Dunham Barn.
Special thanks to Leo’s Casino Arts & Music Collaboratory and Neighborhood Connections for their participation and support!
Garden Walk Cleveland
Dunham Tavern Museum & Gardens will be participating in this year’s Garden Walk as part of the Hough neighborhood on July 12. Find maps and more information HERE.
The Summer Stop
THIS WEEK: Country, Americana, and Rock from GS Harper and food from BO’s Smokey Sticks and off the GRIDdle!
Enjoy live music and food trucks on 2nd and 4th Wednesdays this summer on the Dunham grounds! Pack a picnic lunch or check out a rotating variety of local food truck vendors. The Museum will also be open for extended hours and special programming.
Open to everyone! Rain location in Dunham Barn.
Special thanks to Leo’s Casino Arts & Music Collaboratory and Neighborhood Connections for their participation and support!
The Lantern Theatre: Declaration Exploration
A Reading of the Declaration of Independence, with excerpts from Poor Richard's Almanac and hits from the 1700s. The Lantern Theatre is dedicated to producing theatre for the whole family that reveals and celebrates the history of our region, state, and country.
Performances offered both Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, June 29 --tickets are limited, make your reservation today! Get your tickets HERE.
This event is also presented as part of Cleveland History Days, a week-long celebration of our city's rich legacy presented by Canalway Partners. Learn more and see the full schedule of events and participating organizations at http://clevelandhistorydays.com.
The Summer Stop
THIS WEEK: Blues and R&B from Blue Velvet Ensemble and eats from the Dawg Bowl Cajun!
Enjoy live music and food trucks on 2nd and 4th Wednesdays this summer on the Dunham grounds! Pack a picnic lunch or check out a rotating variety of local food truck vendors. The Museum will also be open for extended hours and special programming.
Open to everyone! Rain location in Dunham Barn.
Special thanks to Leo’s Casino Arts & Music Collaboratory and Neighborhood Connections for their participation and support!
Juneteenth Celebration
Juneteenth: Celebrating Our Stories and Neighborhood
Hosted by our Hough Neighbors, Juneteenth returns to Dunham this year with a fabulous lineup of live performances, vendors, food, and fun for the whole family!
This event is FREE and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets.
The Summer Stop
THIS WEEK: Acoutic tunes from Bill Hoffman and eats from BO’s Smokey Sticks and Shiba Teryaki!
Enjoy live music and food trucks on 2nd and 4th Wednesdays this summer on the Dunham grounds! Pack a picnic lunch or check out a rotating variety of local food truck vendors. The Museum will also be open for extended hours and special programming.
Open to everyone! Rain location in Dunham Barn.
Special thanks to Leo’s Casino Arts & Music Collaboratory and Neighborhood Connections for their participation and support!
Quilts and Coverlets and Clothing, Oh My!
Quilts and Coverlets and Clothing, Oh My!: Historic Textiles from an Ohio Collection
Andrew Richmond
Over the past 50 years, University of Akron professor, and nationally renowned textile scholar, Dr. Virginia Gunn, amassed an extraordinary collection of historic American textiles, including over 500 coverlets, 300 quilts, dozens of historic dresses and gowns, and thousands of 19th-century photographs depicting period clothing and textiles. Take a virtual tour of her amazing collection, and get an up-close, personal, and hands-on experience with selections from her collection.
Andrew Richmond is the President and CEO of Wipiak Consulting & Appraisals and the owner of Meander Auctions. He is an AAA certified appraiser and graduate of the prestigious Winterthur Program in American Material Culture.
Free and open to the public. Registration encouraged, but not required.
The Torso Murders of Kingsburg Run
Mazie Adams, Executive Director, Cleveland Police Museum
During the 1930s, Cleveland was a city on the rise. Manufacturing and the steel industry attracted a growing population of laborers, wealthy Clevelanders built mansions on Millionaire's Row and supported civic and educational institutions, and the Great Lakes Exposition and the Republican National Convention opened in 1936. Against this backdrop of community growth and excitement, one of the most prolific and gruesome serial killers brutally murdered and dismembered at least thirteen people. Mazie Adams, Executive Director of the Cleveland Police Museum, will explore the crimes as well as the local law enforcement's efforts to track down the killer and safeguard the city.
Free and open to the public. Registration encouraged, but not required.
Native Plants for Birds and Insects
Matthew Valencic, Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland
Birds, insects and native plants are inextricably linked in nature. Whatever happens to one will have an effect on the others. This talk explains those relationships, then shows you ways to enhance your personal landscape for birds, insects, or just for the beauty of native plants. Lots of pictures of birds, insects and native plants (flowering plants, trees and shrubs).
Free and open to the public. Registration encouraged, but not required.
The Civil War Songbird
Join Mrs. Diane Virostko of Cleveland, Ohio, “The Civil War Songbird”, for a musical journey through time. She will sing a selection of patriotic songs, hymns and spirituals from the Civil War, and share the history behind them.
Diane is an Acapella singer and for more than thirty years has been a member of a community chorus, “The Westshore Chorale”. She also frequently performs as a Cantor, and has filled the role at multiple parishes in both Ohio and Michigan.
She is the descendant of Andersonville prison camp survivor Sgt. George Oscar Scott, of the 8th Michigan Cavalry, Co. A, whose unique Civil War experience inspired her to share the human side of history with others.
Since 2013, she has performed for audiences of all ages and shared her ever growing knowledge about the Civil War and its music. She has been a featured guest at Hale Farm & Village, Historic Zoar Village and Mansfield Civil War Ladies Tea. She often joins the 1st Ohio Artillery, Battery A reenacting group during their regular season, and can usually be found either entertaining the troops or cooking over the campfire. When not singing, she enjoys side-saddle horseback riding, sewing, and cats.”
FREE; registration encouraged, but not required.
The Lantern Theatre: A Chrismas Carol
An old tradition made new in the Dunham Barn-- a one-hour reading of Mr. Dickens’ masterwork will be accompanied by hot cocoa, cider, baked goods and Christmas cheer and will be followed by Christmas carols sung by all. Come celebrate the season!
Get your tickets HERE!
A Yuletide Past
Step back in time and experience what Christmas and other Yuletide celebrations would have been like in the Dunham home in the 1840s. The Museum will host an open house with tours, live music, and refreshments!
FREE and open to the public.
Candlelight Gathering
Experience a magical time when the Museum is decked out in seasonal splendor. This special tradition returns this December--featuring an open bar, heavy hors d'oeurves, and festive Irish music. Valet parking provided.
Get your tickets HERE!
Music in the Barn: Mike, Jim & Bill Do The White Album
Dunham Tavern Museum & Gardens presents a new series of entertainment …
Music in the Barn: Mike, Jim & Bill Do The White Album
After a long hiatus, Mike, Jim and Bill will Do The White Album in the barn at Dunham Tavern Museum & Gardens. 3 guitars, 3 voices.
Get your tickets HERE!
Lauren R. Pacini: Empire Builders
Empire Builders: An Illustrated History of the Rise and Fall of Cleveland’s Van Sweringen Brothers
Empire Builders tells the story of Cleveland’s Oris P. and Mantis J. Van Sweringen, two brothers born near Wooster, Ohio, in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Although they were born into abject poverty, O. P. was an extraordinary visionary who, with the help of M. J., his devoted younger brother, amassed a vast fortune in real estate and railroad developments. Their breakthrough came with establishing Shaker Heights, an affluent garden suburb, soon to be connected by a brand-new interurban railroad to the booming midwestern metropolis of Cleveland.
Lauren Pacini will talk in depth about his research and resulting book, the first new biography of the Van Sweringen brothers in more than twenty years.
Free and open to the public.
Registration encouraged, not required.