Crawford Auto Aviation Museum — Attraction in Cleveland

I remember the Bicentennial Tour around Ohio in 2003...I was on it. Giving rides with volunteers at the restoration facility in Macedonia...going around to events at Stan-Hywet Hall or Barrington, Pebble Beach to Edgewater Park...This magnificent collection was once a living, breathing entity. People could see these machines roar to life and move around under their own power, and even ride around on them on occasion. History is different when it's alive. Whether it is witnessing reenactors storm a beach in "Normandy" or living the past at Hale Farm, it's easier to immerse oneself in the history if it's "alive".

The collection is cold and depressing to view now that it's static. It reminds me of going to a wake. The body is cold and all that's left is the memories you had once made that you left behind you. If only there were a chance that this collection could come back to life...it would be amazing to see these beautiful contraptions off the jacks and rolling once again. Static and unmoving, they're just...not the same...

Someday I hope that I can bring my future family to University Circle and not just look at metal sculptures sitting on stands. I want my kids to see a 1903 Cadillac sputter to life, just as I did some while ago. I want them to ride an old Yellowstone Park bus. I want history to be revived. Because that's the way...

Now called the "Cleveland History Center", Parking and admission have gotten pretty outrageous for a free Clevelander, like myself.

Parking cost is my biggest issue, because it used to be FREE, now Apartment/Condo's have taken up 50% of the former parking lot, access has been limited, and street parking on Magnolia Dr. or in the University Circle , Inc. lot across the street are about your only free options, and not very ideal for handicapped access.

Stokes Brothers exhibit was a bit scattered and disjointed, $4 ice cream and vintage Euclid Beach Carousel rides can add to a family's cost quickly.

Great political campaigns memorabilia from 1790 to present day. And, way too many costumed mannequins. in the ornate Hay Mansion.

The giant 3-story neon Chief Wahoo at the entrance, has no mention of the "Indians" controversial logo or Native American disdain for the racially charged symbol, or the Cleveland Team's disrespectful name. (Just something that struck me to my heart, on an MLK...

Easily the best place to visit while in the museum area of Cleveland, the Crawford Auto and Aviation Collection has an eclectic collection of mostly cars and a few small planes. What was confusing for us was this collection has a lot more reviews and photos on Google than the main museum (Western Reserve Historical Society) that this collection was part of. To visit this collection, you will need to purchase a ticket to the main museum that also grants you access to other interesting collections found in the museum. The place does remind us of a smaller version of the Henry Ford in Detroit. Initially, we were disappointed at the very few number of cars visible on the main floor, however, we soon discovered the treasure trove of vehicles found in the basement level. The collection is well curated with a descriptive sign for each vehicle displayed. When we visited during the off hours, there wasn't too many people, which really helped with getting great photos of...