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Museum · Cincinnati, Ohio
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
A museum on the Ohio River about the Underground Railroad, the network of escape routes used by enslaved people seeking freedom in the north.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center sits on the bank of the Ohio River, which in the 19th century separated Kentucky, a slave state, from Ohio, a free state. Crossing the river was, for thousands of enslaved people, the first step toward freedom, helped by a clandestine network of safe houses and guides known as the Underground Railroad.
The museum tells these escape stories through documents, objects and testimonies. The centerpiece is a wooden holding shack from 1830, brought from a Kentucky farm, where people were kept before being sold. The exhibitions also address other struggles for freedom and contemporary slavery.
The building, from 2004, has three river-facing pavilions, and the windows frame the Roebling Bridge and the Kentucky riverbank.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Two to three hours.
Best time
During daytime on weekdays; combine it with a walk along the riverfront.
How to get there
In downtown, by the Ohio River, between the stadiums, a few minutes’ walk from the Roebling Bridge.
Tip
Start with the introductory film and leave time for the 1830 warehouse on the second floor.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
What was the Underground Railroad?
A clandestine network of routes, houses and people that helped enslaved people escape to the free states and Canada.
How long does a visit to the Freedom Center take?
Two to three hours.
Where is the Freedom Center located?
In downtown Cincinnati, on the banks of the Ohio River.