National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

10/15/2026

"When someone says 'freedom' to me, it means, I guess, kind of giving the ability for someone to think they can really do anything they want to do.

"For me, when I think of freedom, it means I can if I wanted to work in events or I want to work anywhere... kind of giving that perspective that I can accomplish something that I may or may not know I would have had or had the opportunity to do so.

"To me, it means the freedom to dream. I guess it's the best way to say it."

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Civil liberties and educational institutions like museums are being threatened in today’s America. This season, we’ll be telling stories about freedom and the Freedom Center. Hear from Freedom Center staff, docents, volunteers, ambassadors and visitors (like you!) about what freedom means to them today in our new blog series.

Read Tiago's story: freedomcenter.org/voice/tiago-nunez-fall26/

10/08/2026

Ready. Set. Blink!

Be sure to add The Banks Cincinnati district to your must-see list for BLINK Cincinnati this weekend. We have 2 installations on our block— The Hive and B!G TV— and a blacklight-infused mural created by our very own manager of philanthropy data and strategy, Jazmina Robinhawk! Beamhacker Big Art Downtown Cincinnati Cincy Region Tourism

10/08/2026

The show before the show 🤩

Ahead of Wynton Marsalis’ “Symphony No. 5 (“Liberty”) with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra on October 2, our VP of Education and Interpretation Shawnee Turner helped set the stage by presenting historical context behind the work based on her interpretation and scholarship.

From the promises and contradictions of the Declaration of Independence, to the far-reaching implications of The Compromise of 1850, to the band that was part of the 369th Infantry Regiment that is credited to bringing jazz to France, to the Freedom Summer of ‘64 and activism during the Civil Rights Movement, Turner invited audiences to consider the ongoing journey toward freedom in American life.

Thank you to our friends at Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra for inviting us to be a part of an unforgettable evening and performance!

Music Hall CincyMusic Over-The-Rhine Downtown Cincinnati Wynton Marsalis Jazz at Lincoln Center

10/07/2026

👀 We've got something special of our own to add to this year's BLINK Cincinnati festivities. Be sure to swing by the southeast side of our building on your way to seeing Beamhacker and Big Art light installations on our museum grounds!

AND find out how you can take this special piece home. Sign up for our newsletter at freedomcenter.org to stay in the know 💡

10/05/2026

Today is Speak Up for Ohio Museums Day! Here are a few reasons why we're proud to be an , and why :

1) By preserving history, museums provide a lens for understanding current events and inspiration for the future.

The Eternal Flame at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (pictured) is a tribute to the past (the candles Underground Railroad conductors placed in windows of safe houses), a reminder of the present (the ongoing work for global freedom) and a symbol of hope for the future (inclusive freedom and social justice for all).

2) We use exhibits like "In this Place" to help visitors of all ages see themselves as a part of history—and the pursuit of inclusive freedom—by connecting them with the power of place.

Our location on the banks of the Ohio River both commemorates the journey of freedom seekers from the South and serves as a reminder that history is not just about the past but is living and constantly evolving.

3) Museums are a cultural and community space. We provide inclusive programming and exhibits that help visitors see themselves represented, and as active participants, in history.

Here, a group of visitors take a photo in front of Aminah Robinson's "RagGonNon" during Martin Luther King, Jr. Day activities at the Freedom Center.

4) Museums like ours provide spaces for celebration and community-building, such as during our annual Juneteenth Jubilee.

The history of the Underground Railroad was about more than just perseverance and courage, but also hope and resilience, which makes celebration an integral part of our role.

🗣️ TELL US: Why are museums like the Freedom Center important to you?

10/05/2026

09/30/2026

(Part 8/8) "So really, I think that even the people that we talk about all the time when it comes to Underground Railroad history…even they were, I mean, just everyday people that ended up inheriting this super, super deep responsibility.

"And so, I just think that the way that we honor them is by continuing to tell their stories. And this definition of freedom—it's constantly changing depending on who you are. But it's a concept that I think any person in any culture can relate to. So I think that, you know - and I don't know of any other institution that's built around that, and it can go in so many different ways.

"So that's why the future is so bright too, because we can tell so many stories in so many mediums and keep talking about freedom."

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Civil liberties and educational institutions like museums are being threatened in today’s America. This season, we’ll be telling stories about freedom and the Freedom Center.

Everyday people can build the Underground Railroad—but it takes cooperation. For less than the cost of a cup of coffee, you can help us tell the story of freedom for generations to come. Donate today at FreedomCenter.org/donate