Our physical location in downtown Cincinnati is just a few steps from the banks of the Ohio River, the great natural barrier that separated the slave states of the South from the free states of the North. Since opening in 2004, we have filled a substantial void in our nation’s cultural heritage. Rooted in the stories of the Underground Railroad, we illuminate the true meaning of inclusive freedom by presenting permanent and special exhibits that inspire, public programming that provoke dialogue and action, and educational resources that equip modern abolitionists.
Mission
To pursue inclusive freedom by promoting social justice for all, building on the principles of the Underground Railroad.
Vision
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is the preeminent cultural learning center for inclusive freedom — locally, nationally and globally.
History
1994
The concept of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center first proposed
2002
14,000 attend groundbreaking
2004
20,000 attend opening celebration
2005
280,000 attend in first year from all 50 states and 35 countries
2008
Two National Endowment for Humanities grants awarded
2012
Merger with Cincinnati Museum Center
2012-13
Fiscal year closes with balanced budget
2020
Woodrow Keown, Jr. named President and Chief Operating Officer