Icabod Flewellen

Icabod Flewellen, Class of 1993. Born in 1916, Mr.. Flewellen was perhaps Case’s oldest graduating senior. At age 76, he earned a bachelor’s degree in American history. A dedicated student, Mr.. Flewellen attended local schools and universities for over 40 years. He is probably best known for establishing Cleveland’s African-American Museum, most recently located on Crawford Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio. Mr.. Flewellen developed the museum’s collections while attending school, working in the maintenance department at Case, and selling real-estate. He was a well-organized figure on campus, especially in the Case libraries. His passion and dedication to African-American history and culture eventually led him to Russia and the Alexander Pushkin Museum, in what is now St. Petersburg, Russia. There, he was invited to view items not usually presented to the public. Pushkin, who is of African ancestry, is one of Russia’s leading cultural icons. Before his death in 2001, Mr.. Flewellen donated the considerable holdings of his museum to the East Cleveland Public Library.