If you’re driving through Cleveland
, you won’t want to miss the Crawford Auto-Aviation museum, which is home to a permanent collection of over 50 classic cars, vintage motorcycles, historical aircraft, and timeless artifacts. Northeastern Ohio
is rich with regional history and experience—from Cuyahoga Valley National Park to the Rock and Roll Hall of fame—and it’s also home to one of the oldest car museums in the country. The Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum, established in the early 1940s, boasts a historical collection of vehicles rich in historical and educational value and available for public enjoyment at the Cleveland History Center.
Whether you’re an avid car enthusiast, a fan of old aircraft, or just interested in a fun experience, the Crawford has something to offer every visitor. Here to guide you through its sprawling collections is Jerry
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What kind of exhibits are at the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum?
The Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum features displays of classic American automobiles and aircraft, including a curated motorcycles exhibit. The museum’s collections are the highlight of the visitor experience at the Cleveland History Center.
Year of the Motorcycle: Open Road
As part of the ongoing exhibit Year of the Motorcycle, the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum is proud to present Open Road: The Lure of Motorcycling in Ohio, an exhibit featuring both antique and modern motorcycles.
With most of the bikes on display being locally sourced, this exhibit promises a uniquely regional experience of the evolution of the motorcycle experience. Whether you’re a classic Harley-Davidson fan or enjoy motorcycle models from Kawasaki or Suzuki, this exhibit has something for everyone to enjoy.
Automobiles
As one of the oldest car museums in the country, the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum boasts an early-era American car collection over 50 vehicles strong. Some of the earliest cars on display date back to the year 1900, but the exhibit also features vintage cars throughout the many eras of the twentieth century, including a 1955 Mercedes Benz, a 1962 Cadillac Convertible, and a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro.
Aircraft
Although the museum originated as a classic automobile collection, it branched out to include a number of classic aircraft as a result of Northeastern Ohio’s involvement in the evolution of contemporary aviation.
Today, the museum displays several historical aircraft, including a 1910 Curtiss Model E “Bumble Bee”, a 1929 Great Lakes 2T-1A Sport Trainer, and a 1932 Wedell-Williams Model 44, as well as a number of artifacts for visitors to view.
Other transportation
In addition to bikes, planes, and automobiles, the museum also gives visitors the chance to appreciate a collection of vintage motorcycles, as well as the Tinkerbelle—a hand-built boat that made the treacherous journey from Falmouth, Massachusetts to Great Britain with a single passenger.
When is the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum open?
If you’re planning a visit to the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum, make sure to stop in between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. The museum is also open on Thursdays from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Pro Tip Patrons are required to pay a small parking fee ($8 for the first two hours, plus $1 per additional hour) when visiting the Cleveland History Center, where the museum is located.
How much is admission to the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum?
Tickets to the museum are available for purchase online
(where you can also download a map of the museum) or at the door. Admission costs are as follows: College Student (with ID): $10
Children 2 and under: Free
Active military members receive complimentary admission, and patrons with SNAP, EBT or WIC cards may present proof for a discounted $3 GA admission rate. Members of the Western Reserve Historical Society also receive free admission, in addition to added benefits like:
Members-only events access
Discounted admission on programs
10% off at the museum store
What else is going on at the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum?
As the centerpiece of the Cleveland History Center visitor experience, the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum regularly offers programs and events for the enjoyment of both members and the general public.
Whether it’s a workshop or special visiting exhibit, you’re sure to find an interesting event on the premises. The complete list of events for the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum can be found on their online calendar.
Nearby Hale Farm and Village is an immersive museum and family-friendly way to experience Northeastern Ohio pioneer history. The museum features crafts and artifacts from the mid-to-late-1800s, complete historical interpreters garbed in Victorian wear—all situated among the pastures and gardens of historic farmland.
Additionally, the museum itself is conveniently located by the Western Reserve Historical Society Library, a historical safe haven for collections spanning local, regional, and national history and genealogy. Whether you’re a student, teacher, or avid historian, the WRHS Library offers online and in-person resources.
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