During your visit to this Cincinnati attraction, discover world-renowned permanent and traveling exhibits that explore stories of freedom’s heroes. In addition, the National Underground Freedom Railroad Center houses a bookstore where you can enjoy a unique shopping experience.
Exhibits
The National Underground Freedom Railroad Center’s permanent and traveling exhibits offer a look at the stories of freedom’s heroes from the era of the Underground Railroad to the present day.
Suite for Freedom
Start your visit to the Cincinnati Freedom Center with a brief film. Suite for Freedom, is a trilogy of distinct, but interrelated animated shorts tied together by a musical suit that will orient you with the Freedom Center Experience.
The Struggle Continues
The Struggle Continues explores the desire to fight for freedom around the world and reminds visitors that slavery, in many forms and guises, continues to exist in the world in which we live. View iconic and abstract images presented on two long, facing walls. Images symbolize and evoke freedom and slavery throughout the world and are accompanied by audio that creates an intriguing yet reflective mood.
The Solomon Northup Tour
Created specifically for the film, 12 Years a Slave, this exhibit provides historical insight into what Northup might have experienced as a slave and the role of abolitionists in helping him re-gain his freedom. Stop at seven stations in the exhibit to learn more about the story of Solomon Northup.
From Slavery to Freedom
Chronicling three centuries of slavery from its introduction in the Americas to its abolition at the end of the American Civil War, From Slavery to Freedom explores who the enslaved were, why they were brought to America, how they lived, how they worked, who their allies were and how they gained freedom. In addition, the exhibit features a 12-minute presentation that provides an overview of the journey from slavery to freedom.
ESCAPE! Freedom Seekers and the Underground Railroad
Through storytelling, role-playing and hands-on activities, Escape! Freedom Seekers and the Underground Railroad explores accounts of the courage, perseverance and cooperation of the brave men and women who resisted slavery. ESCAPE! Freedom Seekers and the Underground Railroad’s highlights include colorful banners of abolitionists and conductors by Jerry Pinkney.
The Slave Pen
The Slave Pen was recovered from a farm in Mason County, Kentucky, less than 60 miles from the Freedom Center. Learn about the structure used by Kentucky slave trader, Captain John W. Anderson and how it played an integral role in the greater story of the internal slave trade in America.
Brothers of the Borderland
Brothers of the Borderland is a 25-minute film shown in an “experiential” theater that showcases the courage and cooperation of John Parker and Reverend John Rankin as they help a woman flee slavery. This exciting film also includes a segment that introduces the main historical figures narrated by Oprah Winfrey.
Invisible: Slavery Today
Explore modern-day slavery and human trafficking in Invisible: Slavery Today. Through multimedia presentations, this exhibit offers a comprehensive examination of slavery in the modern world through the life experiences of five individuals caught up in common forms of exploitation. However, the exhibit is not just a grim walk through degradation and mistreatment, Invisible: Slavery Today also explores anti-slavery activities underway around the world.
- Stop by the Smith & Hannon Bookstore. Gifts and souvenirs including many fair-trade items from around the world are available to purchase.