By Janet Carleton and Jennie Thomas, Host Committee co-chairs
The #SAA15 Host Committee is so very happy to welcome you to Cleveland!
We’ve shared with you almost everything we know about Cleveland and the local Northeast Ohio area, and we hope you’re able to use that information to have an amazing time while you’re in town! Our fabulous Host Committee, alongside a great group of volunteers, will be staffing the registration desk as well as the Convention Center’s St. Clair Avenue entrance for the week, and we look forward to answering your questions and helping you navigate your week. SAA has also arranged for the Cleveland visitors bureau, Destination Cleveland, to have a table at the Convention Center to provide you with even more information on what to see and do!
And now for something every visitor to Cleveland needs to see…
There is a running joke that Ohio has four seasons: Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter, and Construction. Well, guess what season it is right now? Construction Season.
The most significant construction impacting the conference is that taking place around Public Square, which is located somewhat between the Renaissance Hotel and the Convention Center. There have been some changes to traffic and bus routes around Public Square, to accommodate the construction.
However:
Parking garages and buildings on the perimeter of Public Square will be open and accessible to residents and Downtown employees.
Exterior sidewalks along the perimeter of Public Square will be open for pedestrians. That is, you can walk on the sidewalks all around the four sides of the square; only the sidewalks that criss-cross through the center are closed. (This information has been confirmed as current and accurate by a Host Committee affiliate actually visiting the square on August 13th!)
The parking garage of the Renaissance Hotel remains accessible.
The map above shows the construction area and changes to traffic routes; it has been modified from the original to include markers for the Renaissance Hotel and the Convention Center.
For pedestrians walking from the Renaissance to the Convention Center, the following route is suggested: Exit the Renaissance near the parking garage on the north side, at W. 3rd Street. Walking on W. 3rd, cross Superior Avenue, and go two blocks north to St. Clair. Turn right on St. Clair. Walk one block east on St. Clair, and you will see the Global Center for Health Innovation, at the corner of St. Clair and Ontario Avenue. A little further down St. Clair from that corner is an entrance to the Global Center, which also connects to the Convention Center. You can use this entrance to get to the Convention Center, and there will be conference volunteers staffing this door to help you with finding where you need to go. If you are enjoying the nice weather or would simply prefer to go in the front entrance to the Convention Center, continue walking a short distance (less than a full block) on St. Clair, and turn left, either up Frantz Pastorius Blvd. (aka W. Mall Dr.) or the Public Hall pathway, and go one block north to Lakeside Avenue, where you will find the front entrance to the Convention Center, at 300 Lakeside Ave.
For more information about the Public Square construction project, visit:
As you begin thinking about packing your suitcase, you might be wondering: What’s the weather likely to be in Cleveland, Ohio, this time of year?
Before I answer that question, I’ll share just a brief anecdote about Ohio weather. Occasionally, I will make a social media posting including some observation on current Ohio weather, and someone from another state will ask, “Is that normal for Ohio?” And I, a lifelong Ohio resident, reply: “It is ‘normal’ for Ohio weather to be fairly unpredictable, yes.” I’ve seen thunderstorms in December, snow as late as May (though never in August – knock on wood), and even the “remnants” of hurricanes that result in terrible windstorms.
But let’s talk about what is likely to happen next week, shall we?
As luck would have it, the current weather forecast from Cleveland.com (or the Weather Channel if you prefer) is calling for a pretty typical week of Cleveland summer weather: highs in the 80s, lows around 70; some sun, some clouds, and some possible “scattered” thunderstorms; and occasional use of the dreaded word “humid.” As locals will know, it’s not the heat that can be the real “killer” in an Ohio summer; it’s the humidity.
So with all of that being said and operating under the assumption that the only thing you can predict about Ohio weather is that it’s a bit unpredictable, how does this translate to packing advice? Here are a few suggestions for your suitcase:
Plan to dress in layers. Every day, you will be at your hotel, then traveling to the convention center (whether by foot, bicycle, car, RTA, etc.), spending some time in the convention center, probably heading out for food at some point, maybe venturing out to some area attractions (we hope), and back to your hotel again. That’s a lot of potentially varied micro-climates, so give yourself plenty of clothing options.
Bring an umbrella. Whether you are walking a few blocks from your hotel to the convention center or just hopping off a bus near the entrance, it’s still a good idea to have an umbrella on hand just in case, preferably one small enough to stow in a tote bag while you’re not using it.
Wear the right shoes. No matter where you’re staying or how you plan to get to the convention center, you will be doing at least a little walking outdoors on pavement—potentially wet pavement. So bring comfortable and reasonably water-resistant footwear.
When: Tuesday, August 18, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm Where: Woodland Data Center, 4966 Woodland Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44104 (offsite) Register: http://bit.ly/saa-service
SC4K buys pallets of clothes that need to be counted, sorted, and packed into smaller boxes for its distribution partners. Packing days are a fun opportunity that involves some physical labor, including:
Little Babysitter (photo by Miriam via Flickr, Creative Commons license)
By Lisa Rickey, Host Committee member
Based on follow-up communications with all registrants who indicated an interest in child care services at the 2015 Annual Meeting in Cleveland, SAA has determined that we will not be providing a child care center or an organized co-op at this year’s conference. The actual need was very low.
In an effort to support the Cleveland Animal Protective League (CAPL), Kate Theimer is hosting a web contest encouraging archivists to “vote” for their favorite archival photos of cats and dogs. A selection of sixteen archival photographs featuring pets will be narrowed down each week in a bracket-style tournament…with the ultimate dog or cat winner being selected during 2015 SAA Conference! The contest will support the work of the CAPL.
Two ways to participate:
#1. SUBMIT ENTRIES!
Entries should be submitted to kate.theimer@gmail.comby July 22.
For more details about the contest and how to submit entries, please visit Kate’s blog, Archives Next.
Submit archival photos (unlicensed, sourced from your archives or repository) of a dog OR cat.
Submissions from outside the U.S. are welcomed.
Please provide an appropriate credit line for your image.
Cat in a silk shoe. Raivola / by Edith Södergran (courtesy of The Society of Swedish Literature in Finland via Flickr Commons)
#2. VOTE!
Voting will begin on or about July 24th at Archives Next.
(Note: We deliberately chose photos of cats and dogs from international archives to illustrate this post, so as not to give an unfair advantage to any American photos we came across — though there were plenty of good ones on Flickr Commons! And we look forward to seeing yours!)
“LeBron James isn’t the only one suddenly rediscovering Cleveland these days. Increasingly it’s showing up on various hot lists for cities, attractions and dining, while enjoying a Downtown renaissance. Landing the 2016 Republican National Convention anchors a slew of additional urban redevelopment and new hotels, while a surprisingly impressive slate of tourist attractions already draw visitors…”
Curious what’s in store for Archives 2015? Check out the preliminary program, which is now online. You can view a detailed preliminary schedule, limit by event type, and search. You can also create an account or log in to bookmark your favorites and sync them to your phone or calendar.
Now that you’ve seen all the great education sessions, pre-conference workshops, tours, and more happening in Cleveland this August, get registered! Registration is now open on the official Archives 2015 Attend page, where you can learn all about rates, deadlines, hotels, and more.
Don’t wait too long! The pre-conference workshops and tours have limited registration and can fill up fast!
(Also: Please note that you must register for tours individually, according to the instructions specified on the program for that tour. Registration for tours is not part of the official SAA registration form, nor does adding the tour to your personal “schedule” count as registering. Please see individual tours for detailed instructions on how to register.)
Art lovers line up at the 78th Street Studios, then elbow through crowded stairways to gaze appreciatively at artworks of Cleveland’s skyline and the emerging waterfront.
Hundreds pack the halls on Third Friday events at the region’s largest fine arts complex with 40 plus galleries and studios all under one roof. This is the arts showpiece of the Cleveland Renaissance, the Mother of all Art Walks. The arts scene has exploded over the past decade, reflecting the city’s changing tastes and ideals.
There is no stopping the tide. Cleveland’s once gritty industrial landscape lost its manufacturing base years ago, and people left town. Today, they’re moving back home. Generation Y and millennials are charging up their own economic engine. High-tech jobs, world-class health facilities, and a revived cultural scene are giving this once Rust Belt city an exciting new look… – Marci DeWolf
Travel and Leisure called Cleveland one of the best places to travel in 2015. Fodor’s 2015 Go List features Cleveland as well; its rust belt chic comparable to the natural wonders of Patagonia, Chile, the otherworldliness of Iceland, and the beaches of Uruguay. With culinary kings like Michael Symon, one of the top orchestras in the world, and stunning museums like the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Cleveland is the place to be in 2015. And with a mandate from Council and the membership-at-large to experiment with new ideas, SAA is shaking things up for its 79th Annual Meeting in Cleveland! The most obvious change is the venue itself: SAA will meet in a convention center rather than a conference hotel. The Cleveland Convention Center was just completed in 2014 and is a sleek, beautiful space, located just steps away from the three conference hotels and a vibrant downtown district.
And getting here is easy! Cleveland sits within a 500-mile radius of nearly half of the U.S. population! Upon arrival, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) links busy travelers through four RTA rail lines that snake all over the city and to the airport, connecting with 69 different bus routes. For just $5, visitors can snag a one-day Cleveland Pass that allows for unlimited rides. The slick, modern HealthLine Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) secured an Excellence in Engineering award, connecting downtown hotspots to hospitals and restaurants. Once downtown, take advantage of the city’s free RTA trolley network, bring your bike, or use your feet. The website Walk Score names Cleveland the 16th most walkable largest city in the U.S. Everything you need during your stay in Cleveland will be only moments away!
Cleveland Rocks!
No trip to Cleveland is complete without a visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum—lucky for all of you this year’s All-Attendee Reception will be held there! The Rock Hall experience includes four theaters, multiple interactive stations, and seven floors of exhibits that tell the story of the world’s most powerful art form through handwritten lyrics, colorful costumes, history-making photographs and videos, and iconic albums that make rock and roll a religion for some, and a force for social change throughout the world. And don’t forget to plan a visit to the Museum’s Library and Archives, located in the Tommy LiPuma Center for Creative Arts on the Cuyahoga Community College Metro campus.
Cleveland Metroparks. Courtesy of ThisisCleveland.com.
Parks
In the Cleveland Metroparks, more than 21,000 acres and 18 reservations surround Cleveland like an “Emerald Necklace.” The reservations follow the rivers and creeks that flow throughout the region, while the Metroparks include hundreds of miles of walking, biking, and horse riding trails as well as numerous picnic areas, nature education centers, golf courses, and countless fishing spots, as well as the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.
The Cuyahoga Valley National Park includes 33,000 acres along the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron that are administered by the National Park Service. The park has many hiking and biking trails, such as the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail, which follows a former stretch of the 308-mile Ohio and Erie Canal, and offers a number of examples of nineteenth and early twentieth-century sustainable farming and pastoral or rural living, as well as art exhibits, outdoor concerts, and scenic excursions and special event tours on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.
Cultural Heritage Institutions
Cleveland and the surrounding areas are home to a number of museums, universities, and other cultural institutions just awaiting your discovery!
Admission to the world-class permanent collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art is always free. Founded in 1913 “for the benefit of all the people forever,” it’s also home to one of the country’s top art libraries. Experience the museum’s $350 million makeover through the new West Wing gallery and get techy at the interactive Gallery One, a 40-foot touchscreen “Collection Wall.” Also available in the cultural mecca that is the University Circle area—only seven miles and an easy bus ride from the meeting site at the Convention Center—are the Cleveland Institute of Art, Institute of Music, Botanical Garden, Museum of Contemporary Art, Museum of Natural History, Case Western Reserve University, Dittrick Museum of medical history, Children’s Museum, home to the Cleveland Orchestra Severance Hall, and Western Reserve Historical Society. The dramatic Museum of Contemporary Art rises 60 feet from a hexagonal base to a square top by London architect Farvid Moussavi (2012) and Case’s Peter B. Lewis Center was designed by Frank Gehry (2002).
Within an hour drive are Akron and Canton, Ohio, which offer the 70 stunning acres of Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which is home to the world’s largest collection of documents related to professional football.
Pro Football Hall of Fame. Courtesy of ThisisCleveland.com.
Keep an eye out for information on repository tours, coming soon!
History
Want to know more about Cleveland history? One of the top 10 largest U.S. cities between 1890-1960, Cleveland has a storied past and much is still on display for visitors with an eye for history. Two comprehensive websites full of interesting essays and images are the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History and Cleveland Memory. Cleveland Memory features collections such as the Cleveland Press morgue, and many exhibits including “Notable Blacks of Cleveland,” “Ethnic Women of Cleveland,” and “Elliot Ness.” Want to see a timeline of everything Cleveland? How about historic sites by neighborhood on a Google map? The Encyclopedia offers these and more. And if presidential history is your thing, Ohio isn’t called “The Mother of Presidents” for nothing. With eight presidents, you’ll find presidential sites around the state, including in northern Ohio.
SAA 2015 CLE 