National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Cincinnati (must see)

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is a museum that covers the origins and history of the underground railroad. It is located near the banks of the Ohio River as many enslaved people found their freedom by crossing the river and seeking refuge in Cincinnati.

Construction of the museum began in 2002. Groundbreaking ceremonies were attended by Oprah Winfrey, Muhammad Ali and First Lady Michelle Obama. It was designed by Boora Architects with a travertine stone and copper facade.

Among the exhibits in the museum is an 1830 slave pen. This is the only known surviving slave pen, which was a building used to hold enslaved people before they were auctioned. The pen is a primary feature and constant reminder of the horror of slavery.

Other features in the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center include exhibits of slavery and the civil war, films detailing the experiences and history of the underground railroad and an interactive exhibit that encourages young visitors to imagine the choices that were needed to escape slavery in the southern United States.

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center encourages patrons to understand their past as well as their future. The museum has a genealogy center that encourages individuals to find family members who may have been a part of the Underground Railroad. A feature called "The Struggle Continues" reminds visitors that African Americans continue to face racial injustice to this day.

Visitors should plan to spend several hours at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in order to see and understand each of the displays. Even young children are affected by the importance of the Underground Railroad.

Why You Should Visit:
- To learn about the history of the Underground Railroad
- To see the only known surviving slave jail
- To learn how to continue fighting for racial equality