Members of Cleveland Documenters took a tour of Cleveland City Hall on Friday, May 10 to learn more about the building’s history, and where to go when we come to take notes at public meetings. Ward 12 Council Member Rebecca Maurer led Documenters through several areas of interest, including the rooms where most of the work you see in our public meeting briefs comes from. 

Cleveland Documenters stand in the City Hall rotunda.
Our tour started in the rotunda with Rebecca Maurer showing us the features of the main floor and talking about some of the events that are held in this space. The body of Congressman Louis Stokes lain state in the rotunda after his passing in 2015.
Credit: Anastazia Vanisko / Cleveland Documenters
Cleveland Documenters checking out the architecture in the City Hall rotunda. This space can also be rented from the city for weddings and galas.
Cleveland Documenters checking out the architecture in the City Hall rotunda. This space can also be rented from the city for weddings and galas. Credit: Gennifer Harding-Gosnell / Cleveland Documenters
Maurer leads Cleveland Documenters into the Public Administration Library, a branch of the Cleveland Public Library inside City Hall. The library serves as a resource center for city records, state and federal laws, and other government documents, some dating back to the 1800s. Credit: Ronaldo Rodriguez, Jr. / Cleveland Documenters
A brightly-colored painting featuring a person holding Earth in their palm and surrounded by plants is part of an art exhibit at Cleveland City Hall.
The walls of City Hall are now lined with artworks created by local artists in a display curated to celebrate Black History Month earlier this year. Credit: Ronaldo Rodriguez, Jr. / Cleveland Documenters
Documenters stand on the second floor of Cleveland City Hall.
Documenters ask questions of Cleveland City Council member Rebecca Maurer as we start the tour of the second floor of City Hall. Credit: Doug Breehl-Pitorak / Signal Cleveland
Cleveland Documenters sit in the Cleveland City Hall committee while Maurer speaks to them from the front of the room.
The committee room is the most familiar room to Cleveland Documenters. The majority of the City Council meetings we cover happen here whilst Council members meet with city officials in committees. Credit: Doug Breehl-Pitorak / Signal Cleveland
Cleveland Documenters stand in the caucus room while Maurer talks.
The Caucus room where Cleveland City Council meets for discussion. These meetings are not live streamed, so Documenters go in person to take notes, do live-tweets, and shoot video. Credit: Doug Breehl-Pitorak / Signal Cleveland
Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin stopped by and talked to Documenters about some of the “Easter eggs” located in Council chambers. The design on the carpet is of a lion devouring an impala. According to Griffin, the print was intentionally created by a carpet designer with a grudge to symbolize the tyranny of government. (I have not verified this story and won’t because I want to just believe its true.)
Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin stopped by and talked to Documenters about some of the “Easter eggs” located in Council chambers. The design on the carpet is of a lion devouring an impala. According to Griffin, the print was intentionally created by a carpet designer with a grudge to symbolize the tyranny of government. (I have not verified this story and won’t because I want to just believe its true.) Credit: Ronaldo Rodriguez, Jr. / Cleveland Documenters
Griffin also pointed out this design of a face on the corner of the woodwork in council chambers, meant to symbolize that “the public is always watching.”
Griffin also pointed out this design of a face on the corner of the woodwork in Council chambers. It’s meant to symbolize that “the public is always watching.” Credit: Doug Breehl-Pitorak / Signal Cleveland
A long table with Cleveland Documenters and Council Member Rebecaa Maurer walking around it.
The last stop on our tour was the Board of Control room. City officials meet here to approve things like city contracts and land sales. Credit: Doug Breehl-Pitorak / Signal Cleveland
Cleveland City Council member Rebecca Maurer gives Documenters some of the history of the Board of Control Room. Credit: Doug Breehl-Pitorak / Signal Cleveland
A view from the window at The Board of Control Room at Cleveland City Hall.
Room With A View: The Board of Control Room at Cleveland City Hall. Credit: Ronaldo Rodriguez, Jr. / Cleveland Documenters

Audio Producer (she/her)
I create audio stories meant to engage and inform people in a way that pushes beyond media stereotypes. I aim to build trust between local media and the community, striving to teach people “how” to think about life in Cleveland, not “what” to think.

Cleveland Documenters pays and trains people to cover public meetings where government officials discuss important issues and decide how to spend taxpayer money.