Thu 9/24

 The Western Reserve Historical Society is opening an exhibit this week devoted to one of the most influential political leaders in recent Cleveland history: the late Congressman Louis Stokes who passed away in 2015 at the age of 90.  He served in Congress for 30 years, from 1969-1999 and was Ohio’s first Black congressperson. He has been succeeded by three more: Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Marcia Fudge and currently Shontel Brown, who will celebrate him and her other predecessors at her annual Legacy party in October.

The exhibit at WRHS’s Cleveland History Center was co-curated by Stokes’ daughter, journalist Lori Stokes, and WRHS Chief Curator Eric Rivet.

Louis Stokes: From Poverty to Congress, will feature a gallery recreated as his Washington D.C. office, with artifacts from both the WRHS collection and on loan from Lori Stokes’ personal collection including furniture (Including his original desk), clothing, photos, documents, awards, clothing and more.

“Louis Stokes changed what was possible in American politics, and he did it from Cleveland,” says WRHS president/CEO Kelly Falcone-Hall. “Bringing his Washington office to the Cleveland History Center lets visitors stand in the room where that work happened, and we are honored to be entrusted with this piece of his legacy.”

 “My father kept everything — the letters, the photographs, the notes he scribbled between votes,” says Lori Stokes. “Walking into this gallery feels like walking into his office on a Tuesday afternoon. I want visitors to feel my father just stepped out of the office to go to the Capitol to cast his vote on a bill. Hopefully they’ll leave understanding not only his legacy, but his inherent belief that every door should be open to all people.”

The exhibit is included with regular WRHS admission Get more information at wrhs.org.