Complete Press Kit - Cleveland History Lessons

Dan Ruminski
President, Martinson-Nicholls, Inc.
and Cleveland History Storyteller
Dan Ruminski was
born in Cleveland, Ohio
and raised in Pepper Pike,
Ohio. He is a graduate of
Orange High School as well
as John Carroll University
receiving a B.A. Degree
in Political Science. While
a student at John Carroll
University he was captain
of the basketball team and later went on to play semiprofessional basketball for the Fort Eustis Wheels. At the
same time, he began a two-year military career graduate
of R.O.T.C. before going over to Vietnam for one year.
Majoring in business and political science with a minor
in philosophy kept Dan on a rigid pace to say the least.
Dan returned from Vietnam to begin a teaching and
coaching career at Gilmour Academy. He left teaching
to buy his company Martinson-Nicholls, Inc., a
distributor of floor matting products,
www.floormat.com.
As President of Martinson-Nicholls Inc.,
Willoughby, Ohio, for the last 25 years, Dan has taken
the company from a small local player to a much larger
international force in the area of floor matting and
pressure sensitive anti-slip tapes. Working niche markets
and inventing solutions for customer problems has
caused sales to grow over 500% in 25 years.
Dan Ruminski with his company, Martinson-Nicholls:
• Has been featured in the Plain Dealer and Wall Street
Journal for new products (electric mats) that melt
snow and ice
• Received the 2009 Manny Award
• Received an award from Ohio Entrepreneur for
development of unique heated ice & snow melting
mats in 2006
• Is currently working on a matting project to
design floor mats with special requirements of the
Presidential helicopter fleet
• Has designed anti-slip deck pads for over 70 coast
guard ships
The Cleveland Storyteller began in April of 2008
at Gates Mills Library. Forty people were expected and
over 100 showed up. Motivated by his passion and the
response he is experiencing to his talks, Dan continues
to research Cleveland history, specifically the families of
Millionaire’s Row and their contribution to Cleveland’s
greatness during the years 1875-1929. He has created
a collection of stories that are constantly updated and
fresh and shares those stories at events and venues
throughout the Cleveland area. He creates a spellbinding
entertainment experience - The Storyteller in his chair,
sharing unique stories of Cleveland’s past. Dan has
become recognized as an expert in this area. His goal
is to promote Cleveland nationally, rebuild Cleveland
pride, and overcome outdated, uncomplimentary
stereotypes. www.ClevelandHistoryLessons.com.
Dan is a lifelong resident of the Cleveland area
currently living for the past 31 years on six acres in
Chesterland, which was formerly part of the Circle
W Farm, owned by Walter and Virginia White. Walter
was the youngest of the White brothers, founders of
White Motors. Dan has developed the property into
many palatial gardens that reflect the gardening style
and characteristics of the great mansions once owned by
Cleveland’s prominent figures. He lives with his wife,
Susan, an extremely successful realtor in her own right,
and has four grown children and several grandchildren.
Dan Ruminski’s Cleveland
Story Collection and How
It Came to Be
Creating the Stories
I believe it is an understatement to suggest
that the creation of anything is easy. We all
know it is not. Thus with difficulty, passion and
great satisfaction I have over time created six
presentations relating to Cleveland’s exceptional
history from 1875 to about 1929. During this
period, Cleveland, Ohio was considered by
many to be both the greatest and wealthiest
city in the world. Famous Euclid Avenue,
Millionaires Row, served to showcase this
greatness and tremendous wealth.
The production of my stories evolved in no
particular order. A passion for the subject
matter took over and various materials became
available. No major process but, rather an
unscripted series of events that made archives
available at random times.
When research and study evolved into a
presentation and one was given to the public I
was thrilled at the great interest and questions
each audience had. Capacity audiences began
to show up at numerous events to my total
amusement. There appeared to be a hunger
for properly presented Cleveland history and
the cast of characters that made this wonderful
period happen.
Thus, if I may, the following is an over view
of each of the presentations I have created as
of 9/1/11. Please understand that they will
be delivered slightly differently each time as
I acquire new knowledge and research. Any
of these talks are available for presentation to
groups of all kinds, any place, and any time.
(See venues below.) They have proven to be
great fund-raiser events for many organizations.
These have given me particular satisfaction and
purpose.
I remain greatly appreciative of audience
questions and comments. Many audience
members have been very helpful in promoting
our history throughout the Cleveland area. I am
a lucky fellow. Thank you all.
- Dan Ruminski, Storyteller
Story Collection
1. Millionaires Row ~ Euclid Avenue
•A story that will amaze in its scope, wealth
and effect on Cleveland, Ohio.
•A personal side of the great avenue and how
it came into being
•That which created also destroyed, the rest
of the story
•What made Euclid Avenue unique?
•What were the residents like, other than
extremely wealthy?
•Were they much different than you and I?
2. The Famous Whites of White Sewing
Machine and White Motors
•A very personal look at this genius of the
Thomas Howard White Family
•A detailed account of his sewing machine
company and The White Motor Company
•A look at the grand homes and estates that
were created from wealth earned
•Surprise revelations about the individuals
that made up this famous White family
3. The Great Estates of Wickliffe ~
Millionaires Mile
•A story that ties Cleveland to the now
famous movie “The King’s Speech”
•The Four families ~ A very personal touch
for I knew Mrs. Boler ~ Frank Rockefeller’s
daughter
»»Rockefeller
»»Corrigan
»»McKinney
»»Coulby
•Learn in great detail of how four Wickliffe
estates’ owners became involved in a story
that would rival any Greek tragedy
•Once heard, one will never look upon
Wickliffe, Ohio the same way again
4. The Francis Drury Story, Drury Theater
and The Cleveland Playhouse
•A very personal presentation of a man and
his family few know about
•Learn details of the building of his great
Cedar hill Farm, now Gilmour Academy, and
his great home on Millionaires Row across
from the playhouse.
•A great story with an unexpected ending
•The Drury connection to John D.
Rockefeller
5. The John D. Rockefeller Story Myth
Verses Fact
•Surprising details of Cleveland’s wealthiest
citizen
•Learn where folklore and fact differ in a
most fascinating story of great ambition,
success and charity
•Hear about John D.’s passions, his unusual
disease and what he really thought of
Cleveland at the end of his life
6. Cleveland’s Millionaire’s Row &
Wickliffe, Ohio’s Mysterious Cleveland
connection to the movie, “The King’s
Speech”
Previous Venues
•White North Stables, Hunting Valley
•Intown Club
•The Hermit Club
•The Business Advisors of Cleveland at the
Cleveland Skating Club
•The Fine Arts Association in Willoughby
•Business Groups
•Garden Clubs
•Libraries
•Community Centers
•Fundraisers
•Senior Centers
•Schools
Business Profile
Business Name: The Cleveland Storyteller
Structure: Currently a division of Martinson-Nicholls, Inc.,
a Sub S Corporation
Started: 2008
Contact Information
Phone: 440.951.1312
E-mail: dan@clevelandhistorylessons.com
Web: www.clevelandhistorylessons.com
Principals: Dan Ruminski
Employees: 1
Business Objective
•Enlighten and inspire Clevelanders and others,
young and old, with the amazing history of
Cleveland during the years 1875–1929 on
Millionaire’s Row. It was one of the greatest
cities and the home of many inventions that
changed the world.
•Help others rediscover the pride of
Cleveland and thereby counter old, worn and
unflattering Cleveland stereotypes.
•Take the history of Cleveland to as many
people as possible. Motivate others to “feel
the pride” and create a city where younger
generations will want to live and work.
The Process
Speaking Engagements: Dan Ruminski,
Historian and Storyteller, is available to speak
to organizations and professional groups about
the grand history of Cleveland and the people
who made in famous. He creates a spellbinding
entertainment experience – The Storyteller in
his chair, sharing unique stories of Cleveland’s
past.
Garden Tours: Dan has lived for the past 31
years on 6 acres in Chesterland, which was
formerly part of the Circle W Farm owned
by Walter and Virginia White. Walter was the
youngest of the White brothers, founders of
White Motors. Dan has developed the property
into many palatial gardens that reflect the
gardening style and characteristics of the great
mansions once owned by Cleveland’s prominent
figures. The property is available for tours.
Virtual Millionaire’s Row
Experience (future vision)
A series of video presentations would be
placed on screens in public facilities throughout
Cleveland. “Millionaire’s Row” would feature
the 20 mansions and families of Euclid Avenue
that lived between 20th and 40th streets, the
most impressive portions of The Avenue. New
content would be added to keep it fresh. (See
the attached project description.)
Virtual Millionaire’s Row
Euclid Avenue - The Vision
Many, many folks have come to my talks over the last
three years and have heard me mention my desire
and dream to build a physical, virtual Millionaire’s
Row. One in which people could, as real as possible,
experience a true sense of Millionaire’s Row like never
before.
The vision is not a museum but, rather an interactive
representation placed somewhere in Cleveland within
a facility open to the public which already enjoys high
traffic. Thus Clevelanders and visitors could enjoy at
their leisure the true Cleveland Historical experience.
Once tasted people will return time and again hungry
for more of this marvelous history establishing just how
great we once were. It is my hope such a project would
promote and develop a new found Cleveland pride; a
means to answer old, worn and unflattering Cleveland
stereotypes.
My “Millionaire’s Row” would feature the 20 mansions
and families of Euclid Avenue that lived between 20th
and 40th Streets, the most impressive portions of the
avenue. If you have seen the “Millionaire’s Row” poster,
you would be familiar with this portion of Euclid
Avenue. Each mansion would have its own station, a flat
screen which our visitors could interact with seeing this
history while visiting John D. Rockefeller. Why not have
a talk with the world’s first billionaire.
New content and new archives from the period would
constantly be added giving motivation to one to re visit
and learn more. This location would also serve as a hub
for the telling of my stories from this period. It is my
hope to get financial support by getting sponsors for
each mansion.
To promote this project it is my thought to place flat
screens throughout greater Cleveland in high traffic
areas which promote through example - a small taste of
the grand event. I believe such an ambitious endeavor
could serve to unite and motivate Clevelanders through
a common interest as well as show off our best side to
visitors.
I decided to post the above because it is time to begin
the vision. My need is to dialogue with any and all
persons who have interest in either visiting or helping
with the actual project. Cleveland will move forward if
each Clevelander does his/her part. Inch by inch each
individual understanding that we were the greatest
and that this is possible again. All of we parents and
grandparents want opportunities for our offspring so
that they either stay in Cleveland or return, we want
them close to us. All though my project is no answer by
far, it could be a beginning of great things.
Dan Ruminski
Storyteller
Monday, May 2, 2011
Tales of another time
Chester Township’s Dan Ruminski has made himself an expert on area history
Janet Podolak
Hear Ruminski
JPodolak@News-Herald.com
A century ago, Cleveland
was considered one of the
world’s greatest cities.
Dozens of inventions
began here, and some of the
movers and shakers made
millions. When Mark Twain
saw the 156 mansions
stretching four miles along
Euclid Avenue from Public
Square to where the Cleveland Clinic is today, he called
it the greatest street in the
world. Later it was dubbed
Millionaire’s Row.
A few years ago Dan
Ruminski, who lives in Chester Township, learned that his
home on Sherman Road near
Hawken Upper School was
on what once was the Walter
White estate. He wanted to
learn more.
That single flame of curiosity fired a blaze of interest
in this area’s history and has
resulted in five talks, including one scheduled for May
15 that he says is the most
interesting story of them all.
Ruminski hopes that learning about Cleveland’s past
will inspire a new generation
of great leaders.
“Hawken maintains the
White House on its 300
acres, and its students probably think the name refers to
its color,” Ruminski said.
“But when I banged on the
door at Hawken and asked
about their archives, I found
five bins of material there.”
Early in the last century,
he learned, Walter White’s
1,000-acre country estate,
called Circle W Farm, had its
own polo field and hosted the
Spanish polo team for a
match.
“Once the Goodyear blimp
landed on the lawn to take
the White kids for a ride,” he
said.
White was one of four
brothers, wealthy sons of
Thomas Howard White, who
had founded the White Sewing Machine Co. His brother,
Windsor White, lived at Halfred Farms, another
1,000-plus-acre estate not
many miles away in Hunting
Valley.
Among their enterprises
was White Motors, one of
more than 100 automobile
manufacturers in Cleveland.
Ruminski’s early research
into the White family took
him to the Gates Mills
library, which also has
records of early families.
There he met with Sally
Burke, president of the Gates
Mills Historical Society, who
was enthralled with the story
he told about the White family.
“She asked me if I was
willing to talk about it, so
two years ago we set a date
on a Sunday afternoon at the
library for me to tell abut the
Whites,” Ruminski recalled.
He expected maybe 30
people would show up, but
got a crowd of 150.
“I did the same presentation a few weeks later only to
find seven White relatives in
my audience,” he said.
The White relatives both
asked and answered ques-
n Millionaire’s Row Dinner
and talk about Wickliffe’s mysterious connection to the
movie “The King’s Speech.”
5 to 7 p.m. May 15 at Gavi’s
Restaurant, 38257 Glenn Ave.,
Willoughby.
$40 includes buffet dinner.
This is a fundraiser for Pathways Inc.
Reservations: 440-9428008.
n Ruminski’s website at
www.clevelandhistorylessons.
com carries his schedule of
storytelling engagements and
lots of background about the
stories he tells.
n The News-Herald’s Jim
Collins also has a connection
to the Walter White estate,
where he and his family lived
for a time when his father took
care of the White family’s
horses. Check out his column
at http://bit.ly/jxKmWk.
Maribeth Joeright/MJoeright@News-Herald.com
Dan Ruminski is a historian and storyteller.
tions after his 45-minute talk
— a scenario that has
become common in the dozens of other presentations
he’s now given throughout
Northeast Ohio.
“When I tell a story, oldtimers often come up to me
afterwards to share things
that are never in the records
or history books,” he said.
It has resulted in random
information and archives that
help Ruminski make his talks
even more engaging.
After telling those early
stories about the White family, Ruminski learned that
Gates Mills Mayor Connie
White is the widow of one
White descendant and that
Thomas Vail, onetime publisher of the Cleveland Plain
Dealer, is the grandson of
Windsor White.
He’s learned why Walter
White was awarded France’s
highest medal for his services
to the country during World
War I and how Laura May
Corrigan, scorned by her
neighbors in Wickliffe,
became fast friends with
Queen Elizabeth’s mother.
He shares both littleknown tidbits and major discoveries about people who
once lived here and shaped
the area for all time.
In his stories of the
decades between 1885 and
1929, he tells of a local
woman who was as well
known then as Donald Trump
is now and why half the
world’s millionaires lived in
Cleveland.
Now Ruminski, who is 67,
has added “storyteller” to
Submitted
Today it serves as administrative offices and student dining for
Hawken Upper School, but early in the last century the Walter
White mansion was the center of a 1,000-acre estate and home
for the White Motors executive. It inspired Dan Ruminski, who
lives on what once was part of the estate, to become a
storyteller about people and places here between 1889 and
1929.
vocations that include a stint
teaching government, history
and economics at Gilmour
Academy, where he also
served as basketball coach.
He also might be considered both an inventor and an
industrialist, since his inventions gave birth to new divisions at his Willoughbybased Martinson-Nicolls Inc.,
which he has owned for 30
years.
“When I was at Gilmour I
was fascinated with the
Tudor House there,” he
recalled.
The school is on the onetime estate of Francis Drury,
who built the grandest house
in all of Cleveland at what is
now SOM Center and Cedar
roads in Gates Mills. Drury
manufactured the first kerosene stove in an era when
everybody was still cooking
with wood. He became very
wealthy thanks to help from
John D. Rockefeller, who
sold kerosene prior to the
discovery of oil in next-door
Pennsylvania. Rockefeller
was another early Clevelander who made a fortune
early in the last century.
“Drury made and gave
away millions, mostly to
establish educational institutions,” Ruminski said.
He also donated the land
to establish the Drury Theater among those under the
umbrella of the Cleveland
Play House, now owned by
Cleveland Clinic.
Ruminski credits his own
background in education with
the research skills needed for
his stories, which are told for
about 50 minutes without any
notes while he sits in a wing
chair.
“I spend about two months
researching each story, but
it’s different each time I tell
it,” he said.
He realizes that his own
personal history has played a
large role because stories
from Cleveland’s history
were part of the fabric of his
life as he grew up in Wickliffe.
His father worked on a
crew hired to tear down the
former Charles Brush mansion, one of those on Millionaire’s Row, Ruminski
recalled. Brush had become
famous with his invention of
the arc light, which he demonstrated on Public Square,
paving the way for Cleveland
to become the first city to
become lighted in 1882.
“During the crew’s lunch
break, a big black limo drove
up and a guy asked the job
supervisor if he could go in
the Brush mansion,” Ruminski said, retelling his father’s
story. “The guy goes in and
then comes back out and asks
if could borrow a screwdriver. They lent him one and
in a few minutes he was back
out again and drives away in
his limo.
“It was Henry Ford,”
Ruminski said. “He and
Charles Brush and Thomas
Edison all were good
friends.”
No one knows what
memento Ford removed from
the Brush mansion, but it
appeared that his chauffeur
drove him all the way from
Detroit to get it.
Ruminski hopes to take his
Millionaire’s Row stories,
which remain his most popular, a step further by establishing a virtual Millionaire’s
Row at the few sites still
remaining along Euclid Avenue. Because Cleveland
Clinic now owns The Cleveland Play House property,
including the Drury Theater,
this strikes Ruminski as an
ideal venue to realize that
dream.
“Everybody loves a good
story, and these old stories
have everything,” he said. “I
can imagine a series of flatscreen TVs to explore the
mansions and an interactive
function that would allow the
viewer to meet John D.
Rockefeller and the others.”