The MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART (MOCA) in Cleveland is a non-collecting, non-profit institution founded in 1968. Originally opening in a small storefront in UNIVERSITY CIRCLE, it has become one of the city's most recognizable arts organizations. In 2012 MOCA moved to the intersection of EUCLID AVENUE and Mayfield Road.
MUSIC. Music in Cleveland can date its present eminence from the first decades of the 20th century. By that time, population growth and business success had reached a plateau from which could emerge significant cultural events.
The MUSIC SETTLEMENT (incorporated April 25, 1912 as the Cleveland Music School Settlement) began with fifty pupils, and was designed to provide free or inexpensive musical training for the children and wage earners of Cleveland's newly arriving immigrant population.
The MUSICAL ARTS ASSN., operating the CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA, Blossom Music Ctr., and SEVERANCE HALL, has existed since 1915 as an association to support music in the community.
MUSICARNIVAL opened on 25 June 1954 as one of the first summer tent theaters in the United States. It featured musicals, operas, operettas, and jazz and rock concerts on its circular stage before closing in August 1975.
The MUSTEROLE CO., manufacturer of a famous over-the-counter ointment, began in 1905 after pharmacist A. L. McLaren developed a mustard ointment at his Cedar and E. 97th St. drugstore. As the ointment's popularity grew, McLaren was unable to maintain his supply and eventually restricted its sale to regular customers.
MYERS, GEORGE A. (5 Mar. 1859-17 Jan. 1930), an African American politician and leader, was born in Baltimore, Md. to Isaac and Emma V. (Morgan) Meyers. He became a barber, arrived in Cleveland in 1879, and worked at Weddell House Barber Shop.
MYERS, PIERRE ELLIS (PETE, "MAD DADDY") (7 Apr.1928-4 Oct. 1968) served a brief but trend-setting stint as a Cleveland radio disc jockey at the beginning of the rock and roll era in the late 1950s. Born in San Francisco, CA., to Pierre and Gayle Myers, he trained as an actor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and moved into the field of radio announcing in San Diego, Cal.
NACCO INDUSTRIES, INC. evolved from the North American Coal Corp., once a major supplier of coal in the Great Lakes region.
NADAS, JOHN B. (28 Jan. 1903-25 Aug. 1992) won honors from Cleveland mayors George Voinovich and Ralph Perk for his international contributions in ethnic affairs.
NARAL OHIO (NATIONAL ABORTION AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS ACTION LEAGUE OF OHIO), founded in 1976 as the Cleveland Abortion Rights Action League (CARAL), works through the political process (see POLITICS) to "guarantee every person the right to make personal decisions regarding the full range of reproductive choices. . .
The NASA JOHN H. GLENN RESEARCH CENTER AT LEWIS FIELD, a major component in the U.S. aerospace program, was established in Cleveland in 1941 as a laboratory of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), an institution responsible for encouraging the growth of American aviation through government research.
NASH, HELEN MILLIKIN (21 Feb. 1893-31 Aug. 1990), was an original trustee of the Shaker Lakes Regional Nature Center whose interest in the preservation of open space contributed to local efforts to create the center.
NASSAU, JASON J. (29 Mar. 1893-11 May 1965), astronomer and skillful popularizer, was born in Smyrna, Turkey, to Greek parents, John and Maria Christie Nassau. He earned a Ph.D. from Syracuse University, and did graduate study at Columbia, Cambridge and Edinburgh Universities.
The NATIONAL AIR RACES, begun in 1920 with the first Pulitzer Trophy race, were first held at Cleveland Airport in 1929 and included an aircraft exhibit at PUBLIC AUDITORIUM. There were 35 racing events during the 10-day meet and several cross-country derbies, including what became known as the Powder Puff Derby for women.
The NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF POSTAL AND FEDERAL EMPLOYEES (NAPFE) is a national industrial labor union, headquartered in Washington, DC. The Greater Cleveland area, covering postal zipcode zones 440 and 441, is represented by Local 604. NAPFE was founded in Lookout Mountain, TN, in 1913 by representatives of postal employees from 13 states. Its purpose was to eliminate racial discrimination in the postal service.
NATIONAL AMERICAN WOMAN SUFFRAGE ASSN. See AMERICAN WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE ASSN.
The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE (NAACP), Cleveland Branch, is an interracial organization formed to fight discrimination against AFRICAN AMERICANS. It was established 12 Dec. 1912, 3 years after the creation of the national organization.
NATIONAL CARBON CO., an early leader in continuous industrial research, originated in 1881 when W. H. Boulton, a foreman at Brush Electric, formed a partnership with Willis H. Masters to supply carbon for arc lights. Five years later, WASHINGTON H. LAWRENCE, an associate of CHARLES F.
NATIONAL CITY BANK was, in 1993, one of Ohio's top 5 banking organizations in terms of assets. It started in 1845 when a new state banking act ended the banking privileges of organizations such as the Fireman's Insurance Co. of Cleveland. Its leading officers, Reuben Sheldon and Theodoric C. Severance, sought a way out of liquidation by reorganizing the firm as a bank.
The NATIONAL CONVENTION OF BLACK FREEMEN was a 3-day conference that began in Cleveland on 6 Sept. 1848. Presided over by Frederick Douglass, the convention brought together 50-70 free black leaders (see AFRICAN AMERICANS) from the Old Northwest and Canada, including WILLIAM H.
The Cleveland Diocesan Council of the NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC WOMEN (NCCW) began as one of the country's earliest local groups, organized by Bp. JOSEPH SCHREMBS in 1922. Schrembs had founded the national organization (1919-20) while serving in Toledo. NCCW, a federation of over 150 organizations, supports, empowers, and educates Catholic women.
The NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN (NCJW), CLEVELAND SECTION was established in Cleveland in Nov. 1894 (1 year after the national organization). The local group did not officially affiliate with the national until Feb. 1896. The Cleveland Section was formed by the merger of 3 organizations, the Ladies Benevolent Society, the Ladies Sewing Society, and the Personal Services Society.
The NATIONAL EMIGRATION CONVENTION OF COLORED PEOPLE, led by early African American nationalist Martin R. Delany, was held in Cleveland from 24-26 Aug. 1854. It was called to discuss the merits of emigration and develop a practical plan for AFRICAN AMERICANS in the U.S. to emigrate to the West Indies or Central or South America.
NATIONAL HEALTH CARE CENTER. See MENORAH PARK CENTER FOR THE AGING.
NATIONAL HISTORY DAY, INC., is a competition, originated at CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIV, that encourages historical research and learning among secondary school students. History Day, which occurs annually in June, is the culmination of a series of contests at progressive levels.
The NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR WOMEN (NOW), established locally in 1970 (4 years after the national founding), has advocated women's rights and promoted women's issues. Cleveland NOW was established largely through the efforts of Lois G. Adams, first president of the local chapter.
National Register buildings and districts in Cleveland:
Adelbert Hall, Case Western Reserve Univ. campus
Allen Memorial Library, 11000 Euclid Ave.
Archwood Ave. Historic Dist., Archwood Ave.
vicinity
Archwood Congregational Church, 2800 Archwood Ave.
Beehive School, 4345 Lee Rd.
NATIONALITIES SERVICES CENTER. See INTERNATIONAL SERVICES CENTER.
NAVIN, ROBERT B. (27 Apr. 1895-13 Feb. 1970), sociologist, dean, and president of ST. JOHN COLLEGE for 30 years, was born in Youngstown, Ohio, the son of John and Bridget (Kenney) Navin. He studied for the priesthood in Rochester, N.Y., was ordained in 1923, and received a doctorate in Sacred Theology in Rome.
NAVY PARK, at Ridge and Clinton roads, was one of 5 housing developments opened in 1946 for WORLD WAR II veterans and itinerant war-industry workers. The developments were under the authority of the Cleveland Metropolitan Housing Authority (later the CUYAHOGA METROPOLITAN HOUSING AUTHORITY).
The NEAL MOVING & STORAGE COMPANY was founded in 1867 by Jonathan Neal, an immigrant from England, who was one of Cleveland’s first draymen. The company began operating with only one horse and wagon and was originally known as the J. Neal Company. By the time Jonathan Neal retired in 1903, his business owned six vans, 15 trucks, and equipment for erecting large machinery.
NEAR WEST THEATRE, an OHIO CITY-based community theatre and arts program, was founded in 1977 in the club building of ST. PATRICK'S PARISH. Founders Father Bob Scullin, of St.
NEARON, JOSEPH R. (4 Dec. 1928-7 June 1984) was a priest of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. During his priestly years, he was both a professor of religious studies and a leader in the Catholic African-American community.
NEFF, EARL J. (4 April 1902-12 March 1993) moved from a career in commercial art to an avocation as Cleveland's acknowledged authority on "ufology"—the study of UFOs, or "Unidentified Flying Objects." Born in Cleveland, the son of Albert and Bertha Beutel Neff, he graduated from Lakewood High School and the Cleveland School of Art (see CLEVELAND INSTITUTE OF
NEGRO WELFARE ASSN. OF CLEVELAND. See URBAN LEAGUE OF CLEVELAND.
NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRESS INC. is a non-profit corporation created in 1988 by CLEVELAND TOMORROW,
NELA PARK, at Noble and Terrace roads in EAST CLEVELAND, is one of the earliest (if not the first) planned industrial research parks in the nation. It was conceived in 1910 by Franklin Terry and Burton Tremaine, officers of the Natl. Electric Lamp Co., which soon became the lamp division of GENERAL ELECTRIC.
NELSON, RAYMOND J. (8 Oct. 1917 - 17 Mar. 1997) was a professor of philosophy and mathematics, director of large-scale systems planning, and computer center developer at CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY.
NESS, ELIOT PAUL (19 April 1903-16 May 1957) has a place among America’s most well known and respected lawmen. Best known for sending mobster Al Capone to Alcatraz as an income tax evader, Ness lived and worked in Cleveland for 19 years. His Cleveland accomplishments far exceeded his TV, book, and movie-hyped Chicago exploits.
The NEW CLEVELAND CAMPAIGN, a non-profit marketing and public relations organization, was founded in 1978 by Thomas Vail, publisher and editor of the PLAIN DEALER, to improve the city's image, tarnished by the Cleveland jokes made on national television at the time.
NEW DAY PRESS was a nonprofit publishing company committed to eliminating racial stereotypes and historical distortions by publishing new literature for black schoolchildren that presented the story of AFRICAN AMERICANS in American history with dignity and from an African American perspective.
NEW ENGLAND SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND & THE WESTERN RESERVE. See PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES.
The NEW ORGANIZATION FOR THE VISUAL ARTS (NOVA) was created in 1972 as an incorporated nonprofit professional organization dedicated to the promotion and development of the arts and ARCHITECTURE in the Cleveland area.