Cleveland area historical society features presidential campaigns

Bricker & Eckler LLP has partnered with the Bedford Historical Society for a new exhibit that features campaign memorabilia of presidential campaigns with ties to Ohio.

Campaigns of Yesterday showcases artifacts of twentieth century presidential campaigns from local collectors. Bricker & Eckler, an Ohio-based law firm, provided artifacts to the historical society related to John W. Bricker’s 1944 vice presidential campaign.  Bricker served as a U.S. Senator and Governor of Ohio in addition to his bid for the White House on the bottom of the Thomas E. Dewey ticket.

Bill Mason, a partner with Bricker & Eckler and a former Cuyahoga county prosecutor, presented artifacts from the firm’s collection to the museum.

“The Republican National Convention is upcoming and John Bricker was a Republican vice presidential candidate in the 1940’s.  The firm has many relics that are very important, and loaning them to the Bedford Historical Society is very exciting. Visitors will have a unique opportunity to experience this period in our history.  It is important to share history from one generation to another,” said Mason.

The pieces lent by Bricker & Eckler give the exhibit a different dimension, because they focus on a vice presidential candidate.

“When we created this exhibit we wanted to focus on as many Ohio ties as possible.  Although, we have 8 presidents from Ohio, we don’t have a vice president from the state.  To have a vice presidential candidate represented adds a different perspective, especially since it is a statesman as respected as Governor and Senator Bricker,” said Andrew Mizsak, a political historian with the Bedford Historical Society.

The exhibit is open through November and will be highlighted during the Republican National Convention on July 18-21 in Cleveland. 

For more information visit www.bedfordohiohistory.org.