On the northern shore of the Ohio River in Cincinnati, stands the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Opened in 2004, the massive 158,000 square-foot facility educates visitors about slavery and parallel injustice issues. The Center houses slavery and abolition exhibits as well as theaters presenting informative documentaries and programs relevant to past and present human rights violations. The Center’s mission is to “Reveal stories about freedom’s heroes, past and present, challenging and inspiring everyone to take courageous steps for freedom today.”
Chip Harrod, executive director of the National Conference for Community and Justice, conceived of the plan for the museum in the early 1990s. Although they considered Philadelphia and Boston for the Center, they chose Cincinnati as the location for multiple reasons, but most notably for its significant connection with the abolition movement and the Underground Railroad.
As escaped slaves crossed into Ohio, they breathed a sigh of relief when they reached the free North. Then, First Lady Laura Bush, and television personality Oprah Winfrey were among those who attended the 2004 commencement ceremony.
“Right here on the banks of the Ohio River, there was the fundamental struggle for freedom,” says Freedom Center CEO Don Murphy. “And the conductors on the Underground Railroad represented, I think, the best American struggle for freedom.”
A collection of artifacts retells the story of the captured African slave’s journey on the Middle Passage. However, the heart of the Center is an authentic, restored slave’s quarters. Discovered in nearby Maysville, KY, the Center secured this rather large cabin that occupies much of the building’s second floor, while plans were still underway. Painstakingly refurbished to its original state and structure, it serves as a tangible memorial to human rights injustice.
On the third floor, another permanent exhibit, “From Slavery to Freedom,” offers a variety of artifacts and vignettes depicting the eradication of slavery in the United States. Reproductions and genuine artifacts help visitors understand the legal complications of the institution. The actual rope used to hang John Brown makes for a powerful reminder. As visitors peruse the exhibits, they can listen to the walking audio tour, narrated by Vanessa Williams and Angela Basset.
Visitors can also take the opportunity to watch films in one of the two theatres. The running presentation of “Brothers on the Borderland,” a film about local abolitionist minister, John Rankin and escaped slave John Parker, offers a local perspective on the Underground Railroad. Oprah Winfrey narrates this short film about Rankin, who lived in Ripley, Ohio, a short drive from Cincinnati.
Since opening, The National Underground Freedom Center has hosted more than 550,000 visitors from around the world. More than 150,000 students from schools in over 700 local and regional school districts have visited the site. The Center is an impressive $110 million monument, but does not yet meet all expectations. Like many new museums, it is experiencing a period of adjustment. The original structure was paid for with public and private funds, but projected revenues have not all arrived. This situation is forcing the management to look for alternative funding and find ways to broaden appeal.
As a result, the museum launched a campaign to offer more information and to attract new donors. The Center now boasts a 3,000 square-foot changing exhibit gallery. Recent traveling exhibits include World Trade Center firefighter memorials and African-American art. Noted historians and authors, David McCullough and Doris Kearns Goodwin recently spoke there. In addition, the Center has a technology and distance learning initiative to carry the message beyond the region. This effort will result in the installment of more interactive media in the building and the broadcasting of “Freedom Radio,” a nationally syndicated radio show.
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is located at One Freedom Way in downtown Cincinnati, a long walk, or a short cab ride from most downtown hotels and venues.