The Money Tree

Free Money? If only! But the fabled money tree does exist, even if the money is just paper! As I wound down a sojourn in the midwest, I continued my search for free entertainment, especially welcome in these economic times where a penny saved is a penny earned. And what better place to be free than a Money Museum? Yes, a museum dedicated to the history of money, courtesy of the Federal Reserve Bank. Located in a gorgeous early 20th century building in downtown Cleveland, this little spot had oodles of information that would be wonderful to share with the youngsters in one’s life. Finding out how much a briefcase with a million dollars weighs (it’s heavy!), seeing how interest compounds (cleverly posted on a winding staircase), learning how banks were protected before the advent of security scanning (gun turrets large enough for two men set in the base of two entry statues!), this was a fascinating learning experience. Given how much the Fed has been in the news and in our lives over the last two years, a visit here is both timely and instructive. Not to mention seeing oneself on the dollar bill! (more…)