Ohio played an integral part in the Underground Railroad and along the Ohio River, on both the Ohio and Kentucky sides, are sites related to the Underground Railroad, ready for you to pay a visit; the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is no different. Next time you find yourself in the area, pay a visit to this historically significant museum.
By 1850, the Underground Railroad, a series of safe houses and sites across the eastern part of the country, had assisted nearly 2,000 fugitive slaves annually to escape their "owners" and move towards freedom. By the time the Civil War ended, many thousands more had been helped. In Cincinnati, OH, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is focused on helping others remember the importance of this figurative railroad with their museum, complete with a restored slave pen as one of their exhibits.
Opened in August, 2004, The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, referred to by insiders as "the Freedom Center", was the germ of an idea by a group of people who knew they were in the midst of one of the most important cities on the underground railroad, Cincinnati. It was often in Cincinnati where escaped slaves met with their first touch of freedom, enjoying for the first time the ability to breath air that wasn't tainted with the knowledge of their being owned by another. Harriet Tubman, born into slavery, was quoted as saying of her own freedom, "When I found I had crossed that line, I looked at my hands to see if I was the same person. There was such glory over everything; the sun came like gold through the trees, and over the fields, and I felt like I was in heaven." (source:http://www.tourdorchester.org/static.php?page=9)
It was along the Ohio River where so many opened their homes and crawl spaces to those needing help to get to freedom. The "stations" along the way of the Underground Railroad were offered by people passionate about the cause of freedom for everyone and it was often to their detriment for discovery as a stop outside of the inner circle of people affiliated with the railroad meant invasion by southern soldiers and severe punishment, even death and/or the loss of their home and land.
Some of the more famous owners of stops on the Underground Railroad would be Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Harriett Beecher Stowe and Dr. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independance, to name only a handful of the many others who took part.
The Freedom Center hopes to keep the importance of the Underground Railroad in the forefront of the minds of everyone who experiences their museum and have diligently worked towards making the location a destination for both local guests and those visiting the city from elsewhere. As part of the Smithsonian Affiliation Program, membership to the Freedom Center, beginning at $30 annually gives visitors the chance to not just support the museum but also garners them membership into the Smithsonian Affiliate program, which offers discounts at other museums across the country.
In addition to the museum, the site also has developed an affiliation with the Church of Latter-Day Saints FamilySearch organization and is host to a genealogy center on site. The cost to use the library is free to everyone and while reservations are necessary, during peak times it is strongly suggested.
However, the museum, as beautiful the site, as dedicated the staff, is suffering from deep budgetary cuts of $1.5 million and is in danger of having to close it's doors. With just a minimal donation (or membership at the lowest level), so much can be accomplished by this important location. However, those in a position to help best are seeking alternative means of funding and to encourage more visitors. By seeking more corporate donations, as well as private, over the next few months, it is the hope of all concerned that the museum will be able to keep their doors open so generations to come might enjoy the benefits and educational opportunities offered at the museum.
When in the region of make sure to stop at the National Underground Freedom Center and pay your respects to those who fought so hard to help others gain their freedom.
In addition to the museum in Cincinnati, there is a network of Freedom Stations equally dedicated to linking together the history and sites related to the Underground Railroad and the National Park Service has a website, called the "Network to Freedom", which includes a map of sites open to visitors, linking together a number of these sites for those wishing to visit as many of the sites as possible.
For more information:
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
To make a donation to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
The Freedom Station Affliates list
National Park Service "Network to Freedom"
Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Tourism - plan your trip!
Comments