Visit the Museum

On Friday, August 2 the Shaker Historical Society was impacted by an emergency weather-related facilities issue. The museum will remain closed Wednesday, August 7 and Thursday, August 8 but will resume normal open hours at 11:00am on Friday, August 9.

Please note that Manifestation of Light and our temporary exhibition gallery may be closed intermittently over the next few weeks due to ongoing repairs.

Plan Your Visit

Hours

The museum welcomes walk-in visitors during the following operating hours:

We update our Facebook and Instagram pages and hours on Google to reflect closures or changes in hours. To confirm hours, please email shakerhistory@shakerhistory.org or call 216-921-1201 on Wednesday-Sunday between 12pm-4:30pm. Staff is not guaranteed to be on-site Monday or Tuesday to answer the phone.


The Shaker Historical Society cannot guarantee that any visitor will not contract COVID-19 while on SHS premises. By visiting SHS, all visitors voluntarily assume all risks related to COVID-19 exposure and accept and agree to abide by these guidelines and all other signage posted on SHS premises.

Admission

General admission is FREE with a suggested donation of $5 per person.  Donations support the Shaker Historical Society’s ongoing programs, exhibits, and collections. Members of the Shaker Historical Society and Ohio History Connection are always free and receive a 10% discount in the Spirit Tree Gift Shop. Learn more about becoming an SHS member or OHC member.

Group tours may be subject to additional fees. Learn more about scheduling a tour here.

We are proud to be a new member of Museums for All, a nation-wide program to encourage people of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum-going habits. Those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) will receive free admission for up to 4 individuals with the presentation of a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. Reduced program fees may also apply to select programs and events. Questions? Contact education@shakerhistory.org.

Accessibility

Please note our historic building is not entirely ADA accessible and there is no ADA restroom inside the museum. A wheelchair-accessible restroom is available in the garage from approximately late-May through October but is closed November-early May when the pipes have been winterized. Three galleries are located on the first floor of the house, which can be accessed via the ADA ramp at the back of the museum, but there is no lift or elevator to access the three galleries on the second floor. All rooms on the first floor are on the same level except a very small step down to access the Spirit Tree Gift Shop, which was formerly the sun porch. 

In addition to the ADA ramp, there is a designated handicap parking spot behind the museum. The ADA ramp and handicapped parking spot were made possible thanks to a National Parks Service grant with additional funding from the Ohio History Connection and in-kind services from Cleveland DRAW and Paul Hummer Paving.

Specific questions or concerns regarding accessibility can be directed to shakerhistory@shakerhistory.org prior to your visit. 

Gift Shop

The Shaker Historical Society operates a small gift shop with a variety of gifts related to the museum, Shakers, and local history, including many books. Members of the Shaker Historical Society and Ohio History Connection receive a 10% discount in the gift shop. We accept cash, checks, and major credit cards. 

Visit the museum or shop the gift shop online.

Directions

The museum is located at 16740 South Park Boulevard, Shaker Heights, OH 44120. Parking is available in the lot behind the museum. Cyclists may park their bikes at racks near the rear entrance. Drivers may park in front of the garage. A designated handicapped parking space is located near the ADA ramp and entrance. If the lot is full, visitors may park on the north side of South Park Boulevard (opposite the museum facing Lee Road).

From Cleveland: Take the Shaker Rapid (now RTA) Green Line to Lee Road. From there it is a short walk north toward the Shaker Gate at Lee Road and Shaker Boulevard. Visitors can continue on Shaker Boulevard to our pedestrian entrance or head north on Lee Road and turn right on South Park Boulevard. Our property goes between Shaker Boulevard and South Park Boulevard so either entrance is suitable for pedestrians and cyclists.