National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Pursuing inclusive freedom by promoting social justice for all, building on principles of the Underground Railroad.

Adults: $15.00
Seniors (60+): $13.00
Children (ages 6-12): $10.50
Children 3 & under: Free (with paid adult)

06/16/2026

JUSTICE AT LAST

To commemorate Juneteenth, Governor Beshear (KY) issued an executive order pardoning 43 people who had been convicted in Kentucky of aiding freedom seekers. We are grateful that these individuals have finally received the justice they deserve.

Some, like Elijah Anderson, risked life and limb to ferry an estimated 1,000 people to freedom. Others, like John Smith, used their homes and businesses to shelter freedom seekers.

In this list of names, we see Black and white people, men and women, all ordinary people who used what resources they had—some little, some a lot—to do what they believed was right. And these are just the people who were caught and convicted. Many more operated quietly, doing small things to help their neighbors along the way, and while their names may be lost to time, their collective actions bent the arc of history.

As you walk through our exhibits and uncover more of these stories, we invite you to consider what it might look like to be a freedom conductor today.

Learn more about our exhibits and plan your visit at www.freedomcenter.org.

Underground Railroad; Juneteenth; Cincinnati; Kentucky; Freedom; Social Justice; American History; Smithsonian Affiliate

We were honored to receive a visit from the choir “Singing a Journey of Freedom: Songs of Slavery and Emancipation" Tour...
06/15/2026

We were honored to receive a visit from the choir “Singing a Journey of Freedom: Songs of Slavery and Emancipation" Tour this weekend!

This group is on a musical pilgrimage throughout June, retracing the paths of the Underground Railroad through performance, scholarship and song.

Led by Dr. Kathy Bullock, the choir performs songs composed and sung by enslaved people and abolitionists—works long buried by history and now being restored to public consciousness through the “Songs of Slavery and Emancipation” Project founded by Mat Callahan.

As you can see from the videos, their voices didn’t just fill the room, it changed the space and lifted spirits. Thank you so much for visiting, and well wishes as you continue your journey!

Learn more about the tour: https://www.kathybullock.com/

🎬 Lights, camera, action!Catch our very own President and COO Woody Keown, VP of Education and Interpretation Shawnee Tu...
06/12/2026

🎬 Lights, camera, action!

Catch our very own President and COO Woody Keown, VP of Education and Interpretation Shawnee Turner, and Community Engagement and Special Projects Manager Novella Nimmo-Black on WLWT's Emmy-Award winning "Let's Talk Cincy" program, 7:30 p.m. EDT this Saturday, June 13, or on WLWT's website.

David Seals, Courtis Fuller and Ashley Kirklen unpack the history and significance of Juneteenth in our country and how Cincinnati residents can take part next week and weekend.

to some snapshots from our series of workshops about preserving family history!From learning how to understand and arc...
06/11/2026

to some snapshots from our series of workshops about preserving family history!

From learning how to understand and archive belongings from loved ones, to interpreting photographs to capturing and documenting stories in a creative way, community members were led through various exercises and discussions that revealed and healed, empowered and inspired.

“It was beautiful… There is something about the intimacy of a small group that pulls out stories,” said Desirae Hosley, who co-facilitated the last workshop with teen poet laureate this past weekend.

Would you participate if we offered this series again? Let us know in the comments.

Our Juneteenth Jubilee just got even better! We are happy to announce that, thanks to our amazing friends at Cincinnati ...
06/10/2026

Our Juneteenth Jubilee just got even better! We are happy to announce that, thanks to our amazing friends at Cincinnati Arts Association and Broadway in Cincinnati, cast members of Disney's "The Lion King" will be stopping by for an exclusive experience the afternoon of June 19!

In a panel discussion, the actors behind Simba, Nala, Sarabi, the resident director and company manager of The Lion King will speak with Local12 anchor Kyle Inskeep about Black excellence in the arts and pay tribute to the musical that changed the world.

Panelists and special guests include:
• Gilbert Domally (Simba)
• Thembelihle Cele (Nala)
• Jennifer Theriot (Sarabi)
• Monique Midgette (Resident Director)
• Jose Solivan (Company Manager)
• Moderated by: Kyle Inskeep (Local12 anchor)

You won't want to miss this! Learn more about the panel and plan your entire day with us: https://freedomcenter.org/voice/press_release/2026-juneteenth-guide/

Cincinnati Arts Association The Lion King - Musical LOCAL 12, WKRC-TV Kyle Inskeep

“If you love Jazz, you pass it down.” - American jazz-fusion bassist Stanley ClarkeAfter a week of intensive instruction...
06/09/2026

“If you love Jazz, you pass it down.” - American jazz-fusion bassist Stanley Clarke

After a week of intensive instruction and learning, participants in the Frank B. Foster Summer Jazz Camp got the chance to share the stage with legendary musicians Bruce Williams and the Myles Ellington Twitty and his quintet this past Saturday!

The camp’s final performance in our Harriet Tubman Theater included timeless standards and introspective originals:

Student setlist:
• “On Green Dolphin Street”
• “Simone” (written by the camp’s namesake, Cincinnati saxophonist Frank Foster)
• “Siam”
• “Jumpin’ Leo”
• “For The People”

Bruce Williams with the Myles Ellington Twitty Quintet:
• “All By Myself”
• “Private Thoughts”
• “Slippin’”
• “I Can’t Get Started”
• “For Hank And Stitt”

Thanks to everyone who came out to support these dedicated, budding musicians!

🎨 Can you name this artist? If you said Jacob Lawrence, you’re right! Jacob Lawrence (1917-2000) was an American painter...
06/05/2026

🎨 Can you name this artist?

If you said Jacob Lawrence, you’re right!

Jacob Lawrence (1917-2000) was an American painter known for his portrayal of the everyday experiences of African Americans. He gained national recognition in his early 20s for “The Migration Series,” 60 panels that depict the Great Migration of Black Americans from the South to Northern U.S. cities.

Explore the themes, lessons and legacy of “The Migration Series” with us on Friday, June 12, with OLLI at University of Cincinnati. This lecture and discussion are free with museum admission.

While we don’t have any panels from “The Migration Series” in our museum, we do have Lawrence’s “Forward Together” (pictured) in the John Parker Library, which features many hallmarks of Lawrence’s artistry.

Learn more and plan your visit at https://freedomcenter.org/voice/event/olli-260612/

06/03/2026

That's a wrap on our May .

Thanks to everyone who came out to learn, reflect, create and celebrate around our theme of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage month.

See you again soon!

🎥 features:
Creative Asian Society
SOS ART

06/02/2026

Our Juneteenth Jubilee wouldn’t be the same without our incredible Community Market vendors! Take a moment to get to know them and be sure to stop by their booths on June 19 between 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

• African Fabrics and Things
• Bella Fiamma
• Chanda's Mary Kay
• Cincinnati Cancer Advisors
• Cincinnati Observatory
• Inspirational Bling Tees
• KayBeez Kraftz
• Kreative Solutions
• Style and Grace Consignment
• Stylish LeNese Boutique
• Succulent Eyez Eyewear
• The VAB Jewelry Boutique
• Wisdom Flows

Fifth Third Bank The Banks Juneteenth Jubilee

The legacy of the Underground Railroad lives on in Ripley, Ohio!We were honored to witness the Appalachian Freedom Herit...
06/01/2026

The legacy of the Underground Railroad lives on in Ripley, Ohio!

We were honored to witness the Appalachian Freedom Heritage Tourism Initiative dedicate two new historical markers on Saturday, May 30.

1️⃣: The John Rankin House. Reverend John Rankin, his wife Jean Lowry Rankin, and 13 children assisted an estimated 2,000+ freedom seekers in the mid-1800s.

2️⃣ : The John P. Parker House, just a mile away from the “house on the hill." Mr. Parker, enslaved in his youth, purchased his freedom and became an active conductor. He took on great personal risk in his activity, crossing the Ohio River into Kentucky countless times to guide freedom seekers into Ohio.

Thanks to the amazing partners and community members who invited us out to mark this special occasion and continue to educate about freedom’s ongoing journey.

Program speakers included Drew Feight, PhD, of Shawnee State University, Ripley Presbyterian Church, Marty Conley of Lawrence Economic Development Corp., as well as representatives from Ripley Heritage, Inc, The John. P Parker House board, and Beebe Chapel CME of Ripley, Ohio.

📸: Shawnee Turner, VP Education & Interpretation

Address

50 East Freedom Way
Cincinnati, OH
45202

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+15133337500

Website

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