National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

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
• Chandra'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

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

05/29/2026

We are honored to bring together three inspiring artists for a powerful conversation about art as a catalyst for justice and social change. You’ve likely seen their work around Cincinnati, so let’s get to know them!

Saad Ghosn is native of Lebanon who has called Cincinnati home for 40+ years. A retired medical professional, educator and Professor Emeritus of Medicine at University of Cincinnati, he has dedicated his life to promoting art as a vehicle for peace, justice and positive social change through SOS ART, which he founded.

Radha Lakshmi is a mixed media artist whose work is rooted in the sacred traditions of South India, including kolam and mandala-making. She integrates her lived experience as an immigrant woman, an elder, a cancer survivor and a survivor of abuse to create spaces for reflection, connection and empowerment, especially for communities affected by displacement, illness, violence or invisibility.

Tom Tsuchiya is a renowned sculptor whose work includes plaques for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in New York and the iconic bronze sculptures of Cincinnati Reds players at Great American Ballpark. His passion for the environment led him to create a new kind of art, the recycling of receptacle sculpture. He is a Cincinnati native whose parents are from Japan. In 2023, he honored his heritage with his interpretation of the three wise monkeys, displayed at Music Hall during the performances Madame Butterfly.

Moderated by our VP of Education and Interpretation Shawnee Turner, these panelists will explore the responsibilities artists hold in moments of social urgency and how creative practice can challenge injustice and build connection.

This will be a conversation you won’t want to miss!

Reserve your free admission for this Sunday, May 31, at freedomcenter.org/visit.

05/29/2026

On this day in 1965, people young and old came together in Brandon, Mississippi for the “Little Selma March.”

In solidarity with the marches that took place a couple months prior and nearly 200 miles away in Selma, Alabama, 300 demonstrators traveled a few miles to the Rankin County Courthouse to present a petition protesting voter discrimination.

Their courage, cooperation and perseverance reminds us that the fight for freedom is advanced by everyday people willing to take action, together.

📸: Alabama Department of Archives and History. Donated by Alabama Media Group. Photo by George Metz, Birmingham News.

05/25/2026

the first celebration happened on May 1, 1865? Decoration Day, as it was then called, took place in Charleston, SC to honor Union soldiers.

Thousands of Charlestonians, most of them newly freed, organized a massive parade, picnics, speeches and other festivities, in a tradition that is continued to this day. 
 
Historian David Blight writes, “The war was over, and Decoration Day had been founded by African Americans in a ritual of remembrance and consecration. The war, they had boldly announced, had been all about the triumph of their emancipation over a slaveholders' republic, and not about state rights, defense of home, nor merely soldiers' valor and sacrifice... 
 
Over time several American towns, north and south, claimed to be the birthplace of Memorial Day. But all of them commemorate cemetery decoration events from 1866. Pride of place as the first large scale ritual of Decoration Day, therefore, goes to African Americans in Charleston. By their labor, their words, their songs, and their solemn parade of flowers and marching feet on their former owners' race course, they created for themselves, and for us, the Independence Day of the Second American Revolution.” 

Read the full story from David Blight, on his website:  davidwblight.com

Photo credits: Library of Congress

05/22/2026

Weekend plans:
🌅 Come early to park at The Banks and dry off at the Freedom Center ☔️
🚊 Take the Connector streetcar to Taste of Cincinnati
⚾️ Come back to see the Cincinnati Reds play (and win!)
🌇 or catch a sweet view of the river from our balconies.

Whatever your weekend strategy is, stay dry and stay safe! Our doors are open 10AM-5PM on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

05/18/2026