Artography Studios and Press

03/09/2026

This is Part II of the Warner & Swasey introduction.

Lauren Pacini continues to trace both the history and redevelopment of the Warner & Swasey building in Midtown, and his history at the site.

03/09/2026

This is the first of a two-part introduction to a series of articles I will be posting over the next two years as the Warner & Swasey building is transformed.

The first installment in a series looking at the history and pending redevelopment of the Warner & Swasey Building.

02/21/2026

As an architectural photographer and local history author, I am compiling a comprehensive history of the Warner & Swasey Company and documenting the transformation of the historic Warner & Swasey Building. I am seeking to photograph a variety of Warner & Swasey machine tools, including early hand lathes, turret lathes, NC, and CNC. If you are a collector or machinist with such equipment, or know someone who might be able to assist, please contact me.

10/21/2024

Empire Builders at the Music Box Supper Club.

Well… I have good news and bad news. Let’s start with the bad news.

Somehow, through the perplexities of technology, registration for the Fireside Chat featuring the “Empire Builders” at the Music Box Supper Club on Wednesday, October 23 is over-extended. The good news is that we have been given a second date — December 11. If you had a conflict on October 23 or were unaware of the event, here’s your chance to attend. I look forward to seeing you on October 23 or December 11.

The Music Box is located at 1148 Main Street, in the Flats. The doors open at 5:00 for dinner and the chat will begin at 7:00 sharp. Presented in partnership with the Cleveland History Center, admission is free, but registration is required. Signed copies of “Empire Builders” will be available. Credit cards accepted. To register, go to https://bit.ly/3XIsW2m.

10/16/2024

Empire Builders at the Music Box Supper Club.

Well… I have good news and bad news. Let’s start with the bad news.

Somehow, through the perplexities of technology, registration for the Fireside Chat featuring the “Empire Builders” at the Music Box Supper Club on Wednesday, October 23 is over-extended. The good news is that we have been given a second date — December 11. If you had a conflict on October 23 or were unaware of the event, here’s your chance to attend. I look forward to seeing you on October 23 or December 11.

The Music Box is located at 1148 Main Street, in the Flats. The doors open at 5:00 for dinner and the chat will begin at 7:00 sharp. Presented in partnership with the Cleveland History Center, admission is free, but registration is required. Signed copies of “Empire Builders” will be available. Credit cards accepted. To register, click here

Rise and Fall of Cleveland’s Van Sweringen Brothers Oris P. and Mantis J. Van Sweringen, two brothers born near Wooster, Ohio, in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries amassed a vast fortune in real estate and railroad developments. Their breakthrough came with establishing Shaker Heig...

10/07/2024

TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT!! Join me Monday, October 7 at 7:00 pm at the Beachwood Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library as I discuss my latest book, "Empire Builders: An Illustrated History of the Rise and Fall of Cleveland's Van Sweringen Brothers." Signed copies of the book will be available. Credit cards accepted. As of this post, only five seats are available. For details and registration (required) click https://bit.ly/3XIsW2m.

09/25/2024

Join me on Monday, October 7 at 7:00 pm at the Beachwood Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library as I discuss my latest book, "Empire Builders: An Illustrated History of the Rise and Fall of Cleveland's Van Sweringen Brothers." Signed copies of the book will be available. Credit cards accepted. For details and registration (required) click https://bit.ly/3XIsW2m.

08/27/2024

Join me at the Western Reserve Historical Society at 6:00 pm on September 19 to discuss my latest book, Empire Builders: An Illustrated History of the Rise and Fall of Cleveland’s Van Sweringen Brothers. Part of the “By the Book” series, the program will be moderated by Cleveland historian John J. Grabowski. Signed copies of the book will be available with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Cleveland History Center. For details and tickets (required) go to

Join us on September 19, 6-8 PM, at the Cleveland History Center for the launch of Empire Builders: An Illustrated History of the Rise and Fall of Cleveland’s Van Sweringen Brothers (Indiana University Press, 2024). Architectural photographer and local history author Lauren R. Pacini will discuss ...

08/05/2024

There are only four days left! The Sales Tax Holiday ends Thursday night (August 8). Don't wait... order your signed copy of "Empire Builders: An Illustrated History of the Rise and Fall of Cleveland's Van Sweringen Brothers" now at https://bit.ly/ArtographyBooks and save!

07/29/2024

The 2024 sales tax holiday will begin at midnight tonight, 12 a.m., Tuesday, July 30, and continue until 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8. Take advantage of the holiday and save when you order your signed copy of Empire Builders, the highly acclaimed story of the Van Sweringen brothers, who developed Shaker Heights, built the Terminal complex on Public Square, and created the third-largest railroad in the nation. For all the details, and to place your order, go to https://bit.ly/ArtographyBooks