The Ukrainian Museum and Archives (UMA) in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland Ohio has been an anchor there for over 50 years. After remodeling of the 100+ year building, they hosted a grand reopening gala on September 5, 2025. We spoke with Andy Fedynsky, Director of the UMA.
Andy said that in 1918 the building was used as an oprhanage for Ukrainian kids and then for nuns, then scouting and then as the Museum and Archives for the last 50 years or so. They have collections of documents and artifacts including 40,000 books, embroidery, pysanky, literature, musical instruments (banduras) and even postage stamps. The mission statement includes not just the Ukrainian story but the broader immigrant experience. Andy says it is an American museum.
The Cleveland Ukrainian community goes back to the 19th century when immigrants came to the industrial valley at Tremont for jobs. The Tremont neighborhood became a dangerous place in the 1980’s and Andy says the UMA helped in the comeback of the historic neighborhood which includes numerous ethnic churches. Of course the UMA includes history and current information on Ukraine’s struggles for independence and liberty.
A National Poet of Ukraine
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Ukrainian Museum and Archives
1202 Kenilworth Ave.
Tremont Neighborhood of Cleveland