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Programs

Available for community centers, senior centers, public libraries, historical societies, church groups, and clubs in the Cleveland, Akron, Lake, Geauga, Lorain and Medina Counties.

Fourteen entertaining, multimedia journeys through forgotten chapters of Cleveland history — packed with stories, photos, trivia, and humor.

Bomb City USA: The Danny Greene Era
Crime & History

Bomb City USA: The Danny Greene Era

Danny Greene and John Nardi tried to muscle in on the Cleveland Mob's operations. The result was a bloody mob war that left Cleveland with the moniker "Bomb City USA!" This program tells the story of the most turbulent era in Cleveland organized crime history — car bombs, mob hits, and the characters who made it all happen.

Growing Up Cleveland: Barnaby, Captain Penny & Ghoulardi
Pop Culture

Growing Up Cleveland: Barnaby, Captain Penny & Ghoulardi

Baby boomers raised in Cleveland grew up with a variety of unique children's television hosts — including the lovable Barnaby, the affable Captain Penny, and the outrageous Ghoulardi. Relive the days of early television and along the way, have fun with some children's television trivia.

The King of the Moondoggers: Alan Freed and the Birth of Rock and Roll
Music History

The King of the Moondoggers: Alan Freed and the Birth of Rock and Roll

Follow Alan Freed on his journey to Cleveland and beyond as Rock and Roll is being born. Dance at the Moondog Coronation Ball! This program includes audio clips from nine early Rock and Roll favorites and tells the story of how Cleveland became the birthplace of Rock and Roll.

The Mystery of Al Capone's Vault — or How I Saved the World from Y2K
Comedy & History

The Mystery of Al Capone's Vault — or How I Saved the World from Y2K

It's 1999. Will the dreaded Y2K bug end life as we know it? Follow our intrepid hero as he leads the fight to save Progressive Insurance and the world from impending doom! A hilarious first-person account of the Y2K scare — equal parts comedy and history.

Lost Cleveland Memories® Trivia Party
Interactive
Now: Trivia Party 2.0 — All New Content!

Lost Cleveland Memories® Trivia Party

Cleveland trivia questions covering twentieth century people, places and events ranging from the teens through the 1970s. An interactive, audience-participation program perfect for groups who love a little friendly competition and a lot of Cleveland nostalgia.

Truth, Justice and the Cleveland Way: The Early Work of Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster
Pop Culture

Truth, Justice and the Cleveland Way: The Early Work of Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster

Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, two kids from Glenville High School, created the world's most enduring superhero. Meet the original Superman and learn how he was influenced by the boys' lives in Cleveland!

Rabbi Abba Silver's Battle Against the Cleveland Nazis
History

Rabbi Abba Silver's Battle Against the Cleveland Nazis

In the 1930s, stormtroopers were marching in Parma and local auto-workers were being recruited for jobs in German factories. Learn how Rabbi Silver's League for Human Rights led the fight against the fascists in our town.

Tragedy and Triumph: Ray Chapman and the 1920 Cleveland Indians
Sports History

Tragedy and Triumph: Ray Chapman and the 1920 Cleveland Indians

It's 1920, the jazz age is in full swing, prohibition is the law of the land, and the New York Yankees have just signed Babe Ruth. The Cleveland Indians have set their sights on a World Series title, but to get there they will need to overcome an unspeakable tragedy.

Meet Me at Gate A: Municipal Stadium in the 1930s
Sports History

Meet Me at Gate A: Municipal Stadium in the 1930s

The vision was a venue that would draw thousands for events like boxing, football, track, soccer, operas, and community celebrations — with baseball as the lynchpin. The new stadium would bolster the economy, increase tax revenues, and elevate Cleveland's status. But there was a problem: the Cleveland Indians didn't want to play there!

Jane Russell and Cleveland's Forgotten Champions
Sports & Entertainment

Jane Russell and Cleveland's Forgotten Champions

Autumn 1945. Jane Russell, glamorous movie star, has taken up residence in Cleveland to be with her husband Bob Waterfield who is leading the Cleveland Rams to the NFL Championship game. A significant period of Cleveland history that is all but forgotten.

E. 105th and Euclid: Cleveland's Iconic Crossroads
Neighborhood History

E. 105th and Euclid: Cleveland's Iconic Crossroads

Originally known as Doan's Corners, the area began as a stagecoach stop on the road from Buffalo to Cleveland. In the first half of the 20th century it became an entertainment Mecca offering Clevelanders a taste of New York City high-life. By the 1970s it was referred to as an "inner-city Disneyland" and was the flash-point for battles with the city's power structure. Today it is part of the sprawling campus of Cleveland Clinic. Program includes audio clips from famous celebrities who performed in the neighborhood.

Pride of Cleveland: Hometown Rockers from the Sixties and Early Seventies
Music History

Pride of Cleveland: Hometown Rockers from the Sixties and Early Seventies

Baby Boomers who came of age in Cleveland listened and danced to rock music at venues like The Agora, The Plato, and the Hullabaloo Clubs. Come and share your memories and listen to audio clips from bands like The Raspberries, Rastus, Glass Harp, and The James Gang!

Bloody Corner and Beyond: Cleveland's Prohibition Era Mob Bosses
Crime & History

Bloody Corner and Beyond: Cleveland's Prohibition Era Mob Bosses

The Prohibition Era was the bloodiest period in Cleveland history. Try to keep track of the mob hits as rival gangs brutally battle to control the city's rackets. Many of the mob leaders didn't survive the period, a few lived to a ripe old age, and some became respected icons in the community and beyond.

They Came From Cleveland
Interactive
Now: They Came From Cleveland 2.0 — All New Content!

They Came From Cleveland

This highly interactive program will test your knowledge of Cleveland's hometown heroes. Some of the celebrities are easy to identify, while others present more of a challenge!

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Available for community centers, senior centers, public libraries, local historical societies, church groups and clubs in the Cleveland, Akron, Lake, Geauga, Lorain and Medina Counties.

Lost Cleveland Memories®

Book Dennis for your community center, senior center, public library, local historical society, church group or club.

About

Dennis R. Sutcliffe — retired executive, local historian, and master storyteller — has been preserving Cleveland's forgotten past for over a decade.

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"Every city has a memory. Cleveland has thousands."