Cincinnati’s regional significance in the Underground Railroad will be on full display in a new permanent museum exhibit.
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is opening the “In This Place” gallery – its first new permanent exhibit in 15 years.
“In This Place” joined the Freedom Center’s first floor exhibits starting May 23, offering visitors an immersive glimpse into the significance of the museum’s downtown Cincinnati location along the Ohio River. There, slaves seeking freedom through the Underground Railroad took their first steps as free individuals, migrating from the slave plantations in the South to the free states of the North.
The exhibit was open exclusively this weekend but will officially open Juneteenth, June 19.
Museum visitors can expect a gallery, artifacts, historic photos and footage and an interactive table showcasing the currents of the Ohio River.
“The story of the Freedom Center is rooted in this power of place and the legacy of the land we stand on,” Woodrow Keown, Jr., president and COO of the Freedom Center, said in a press release. “This new gallery will serve as an important introduction to the Freedom Center, our region’s history and the stories guests encounter as they journey through our museum.”
The introduction of “In this Place” arrives amid remodeling happening at the center as existing exhibits are updated and new experiences are launched.
How to see new permanent exhibit at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Access to “In This Place” is included in general admission for the Freedom Center, starting June 19, which starts at $11.50 for kids ages 3-12 and $16.50 for adults. Tickets can be purchased online at freedomcenter.org/visit/plan-your-visit/.
The Freedom Center is located at 50 East Freedom Way in downtown Cincinnati.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: New Freedom Center exhibit marks something that hasn’t been done in 15 years. Take a look
Reporting by Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
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