About this collection
- Plaid is created by weaving different colored yarns to form stripes intersecting at right angles. When the horizontal and vertical groupings are identical, the plaid is considered a tartan. The origins of Scottish tartans were seeded centuries ago, but theirs is a history steeped in fantasy. Scotland’s “traditional” highland dress and the association of tartans with clans were actually fabricated by the English during the early 19th century. The assignment was, in fact, given randomly by weavers in preparation for George IV’s visit to Edinburgh in 1822 and held fast. Thereafter popularized as a fashion trend by Queen Victoria, plaid has the ability to transform style from classic, to preppy, hip, and even subversive. It can be serious and subdued, or bright and festive: it’s a chameleon. Since plaid’s entry into the fashion world, Ohio’s men, women, and children have worn the fabric as a way to showcase their identities. Today, plaid celebrates the season, shows school pride, embraces heritage, and expresses a particular brand of rugged American style.
- Explore the life of one of Cleveland’s most impactful community builders, Rev. Emmitt Theophilus Caviness. His move from Texas to Cleveland in 1961 brought him to the Greater Abyssinia Baptist Church in Cleveland’s Glenville Community where he continues to marry social activism and spirituality today. His friendship with Martin Luther King and his own beliefs in the power of nonviolent protest propelled Rev. Caviness to the forefront of activism in 1960s Cleveland. He is an agent of change for Cleveland, playing an instrumental role in the election of African American politicians, including Carl Stokes as the first black mayor of a major U.S. city. Discover his role in the Civil Rights Movement and learn about his dedication to family and community engagement.
- Clevelanders travel the world to sightsee, shop, and work directly with Parisian designers. Back at home, boutiques and department stores offer the latest French fashions. Cultural venues such as the Euclid Avenue Opera House, Severance Hall, and Playhouse Square provide the perfect setting to see and be seen, in Parisian style.