The Shaker Historical Society is a non-profit organization established in 1947 to provide stewardship for our region's significant history by nurturing respectful discovery, preservation, collection, and public dissemination of the history, traditions, and heritage of the North Union Shaker sect, Warrensville Township, Shaker Heights, and the surrounding areas. 

Upcoming Programs & Events

Winter Melodies

December 9, 2023 | 2-4pm | Shaker Historical Society | Free, but donations appreciated!

We invite the community to enjoy winter melodies from the talented Nightingale Women’s A Cappella group! Stop by the Shaker Historical Society on Saturday, December 9 between 2-4pm for outdoor carols and hot chocolate, and warm up inside with Nancy Schwartz-Katz’s Musings: Drawings from the “Great Pause” and holiday shopping in our gift shop with partner vendors Brûlé Handmade Caramels, Larchmere Fire Works, Reclamation, and Vintage Visions Cards.

This is a donation-based event with a suggested donation of $5 per person. The parking lot behind the museum will be closed, but parking is available along South Park Boulevard. If you require handicap parking or accommodations, please contact education@shakerhistory.org before Friday, December 8 so we can ensure a smooth visit!

“Musings” Reception with Nancy Schwartz-Katz

December 20, 2023* | 7-8:30pm | Shaker Historical Society

*This event was postponed to accommodate those attending The Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s “An Evening with Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett” at B’nai Jeshurun Congregation on November 15.

To keep her art fresh during the COVID-19 pandemic, Nancy Schwartz-Katz began a drawing a day in her sketchbooks. This artwork is exhibited for the first time in Musings: Drawings from the "Great Pause" at the Shaker Historical Society. Join us on Wednesday, December 20 at 7pm for an evening reception featuring talented local artist Nancy Schwartz-Katz. Nancy will welcome guests with opening statements, touching on the story behind this body of work featuring her everyday reflections with the public as artistic muse and inspiration. Enjoy light food and drink as you reflect on Nancy’s artwork and the historic “great pause.”

Musings: Drawings from the "Great Pause" is on view from October 7, 2023 through February 4, 2024. Musings is made possible in part by state tax dollars allocated by the Ohio Legislature to the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.

Learn more on our Upcoming Events page!

Current & Upcoming Exhibits

Musings: Drawings from the "Great Pause" — October 7, 2023-February 4, 2024

To keep her art fresh during the COVID-19 pandemic, Nancy Schwartz-Katz began a drawing a day in her sketchbooks. Musings: Drawings from the "Great Pause" features the artist’s everyday reflections through observational sketches with the public as artistic muse and inspiration. From six-foot distancing in a coffee shop to an open cookbook on a counter, these scenes transform the mundane into a symphony of reflections, vividly depicting the pandemic's “great pause.”

With over 30 years of experience as a Judaic artist, Nancy Schwartz-Katz's artistic journey was sparked by her grandfather, an artist himself, who inspired her passion for drawing and storytelling from a young age. A graduate of Parsons School of Design with a major in Illustration, Schwartz-Katz’s talent and hard work have been recognized with numerous honors, including a 2023 Ohio Heritage Arts Fellowship Award from Ohio Arts Council for her dedication and mastery in creating Judaic Art in Northeast Ohio and beyond. Working and residing in Shaker Heights, Schwartz-Katz’ dedication to her craft remains unwavering, even during the pandemic, as she engages in the Drawing A Day project, reflecting her ongoing growth, passion for storytelling, and exceptional artistic skill.

Musings: Drawings from the "Great Pause" will be on view from October 7, 2023 to February 4, 2024. Musings is made possible in part by state tax dollars allocated by the Ohio Legislature to the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.