Join local history author and architectural photographer and former member of the Nature Center Board of Trustees, Lauren Pacini at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes as he discusses his new book, Empire Builders: An Illustrated History of the Rise and Fall of Cleveland's Van Swerigen Brothers.

Empire Builders tells the story of Cleveland’s Oris P. and Mantis J. Van Sweringen, two brothers born near Wooster, Ohio, in the late nineteenth century. Although they were born into abject poverty, O. P. was an extraordinary visionary who, with the help of M. J., his devoted younger brother, amassed a vast fortune in real estate and railroad developments.

About the Author

Lauren Pacini is an architectural photographer and local history author. His photography projects largely focus on documenting the before, during, and after of the renovation, restoration, and repurposing of historic industrial, commercial, and residential properties, and have often resulted in the creation of a local history book.

Pacini’s projects have included the documentation of the transformation of Cleveland’s Saint Luke’s Hospital – for which his photography was honored with the 2012 National Trust for Historic Preservation/Housing and Urban Development Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation, The project resulted in the publication of The Ever-Whirling Winds of Change: The Story of Saint Luke’s Hospital, 1894 – 2014. The documentation of the transformation of the former Cleveland Trust complex resulted in the publication of Renaissance on East 9th Street: From Cleveland Trust to The 9.

Honoring Their Memory: Levi T. Scofield, Monumental Architect and Sculptor, written for the 125th anniversary of the Cuyahoga County’s Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument tells the story of Scofield’s contribution to the architectural landscape of Cleveland and beyond– for which he was honored with the Ohio Local History Alliance’s History Outreach Award. Preserving the Shaker Parklands, written for the 50th anniversary of the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes tells the story of the freeway fight that preserved Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights as we know it, and resulted in the creation of the Nature Center.

In collaboration with the renowned Cleveland historian, John J. Grabowski, Pacini created the photography to illustrate Cleveland A to Z: An Essential Compendium for Visitors and Residents Alike, and Cleveland’s Cultural Gardens: A Landscape of Diversity. His most recent work, Empire Builders: An Illustrated History of the Rise and Fall of Cleveland’s Van Sweringen Brothers was released and launched at the Shaker Historical Society on June 4th.

History of the Van Swerigen Brothers: An Author Talk with Lauren Pacini