Museums that Matter – Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Museums that Matter is our nationwide exploration of fascinating museums and cultural attractions.

Humble Cincinnati, Ohio. It’s not at the top of many a traveler’s bucket list, and that is truly a shame, because Cincinnati is home to a full host of world-class restaurants, performance venues, festivals and, notably, museums.

Among the most inspiring Cincinnati museums is the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Located in a gorgeous building in downtown Cincinnati, the Freedom Center joins the ranks of Civil Rights and Holocaust museums all over the country as a “museum of conscience”, dedicated not only to the history of its subject but the profound ethical and moral imperatives of its lesson.

The museum primarily details the history of the 19^th-century Underground Railroad. In fact, even in its location the Center does honor to its subject, as Cincinnati was a busy thoroughfare for escaped slaves crossing the Ohio River. The principal artifact of the Freedom Center is the Slave Pen, a two-story log cabin from the early 1800’s that was used to house slaves pre-auction. A disquieting walk through the cabin, while not expressly fun, is something that every American should experience.

Additional exhibits delve deeper into the plight of American slaves while “The Struggle Continues” expands the focus globally to identify how slavery is still practiced today throughout the world.

It is a tough but important lesson, and it makes for an unforgettable day at the museum. Learn more about the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center here.

For Cincinnati hotels in downtown, consider the Embassy Suites Cincinnati – RiverCenter. Although it’s technically in Covington, Kentucky just across the river, it’s less than a mile from the Freedom Center, and right now they’re even offering a package with two adult admissions.

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