Hidden Cleveland: Special Collections

Dittrick Museum of Medical History: Condom Packages

Part of the Percy Skuy contraception collection, these packages date back to 1930-1950. The rubber vulcanization process patented by Charles Goodyear in 1844 rolled out the way for the first rubber condom in 1855. Latex showed up in 1920. Case Western Reserve University, 11000 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, artsci.case.edu/dittrick

The Western Reserve Fire Museum and Education Center: Hand Engine

The Berea Fire Department used this 1880 Rumsey hand engine until 1921. It took lots of muscle as volunteers attached the engine to a hose and hand-pumped water. Pore over the object when the museum opens in late January. 310 Carnegie Ave., Cleveland, 216-664-6312, wrfmc.com

International Women’s Air & Space Museum: Margaret Hurlburt’s Lucky Monkey

Margaret Hurlburt brought the puppet with her on every flight she flew. The local Air Force vet was killed in a plane crash in 1947, and the monkey was salvaged from the flight. Burke Lakefront Airport, 1501 N. Marginal Road, Cleveland, 216-623-1111, iwasm.org

National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum: Mervar accordion

The “granddaddy” of the button accordion, Matt Hoyer led the first recorded Cleveland-style polka trio. Hoyer recorded a comic song about buying this custom, Cleveland-made accordion. Shore Cultural Center, 605 E. 222nd St., Euclid, 216-261-3263, clevelandstyle.com

Midwest Railway Preservation Society: Passenger car

This Lackawanna Limited car is eerily known as the “Death Car,” because it was involved in a 1943 accident where 29 passengers perished. Volunteers say it’s haunted, and the car has been featured on the History Channel’s Haunted History. 2800 W. Third St., Cleveland, 216-781-3629, midwestrailway.org