August 20, 200420 yr Downtown buildings to shine during Freedom Center opening Downtown Cincinnati Inc. is asking downtown buildings to help "shine the light on freedom" during next week's grand opening celebration of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. DCI and the Building Owners & Managers Association have been contacting downtown building owners and managers on both sides of the Ohio River to turn on all interior and exterior lights from dusk until midnight during the Aug. 23 event. "The Freedom Center is an incredibly important, internationally recognized new addition to our center city, and we are proud of our property owners' commitment to support this celebration," said DCI President David Ginsburg. The Freedom Center's star-studded grand opening celebration, called "Lighting the Way," will run from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Celebrities such as Angela Bassett, Lionel Richie, Bono and P. Diddy are expected to be on hand for the opening events. anyone going to be out taking pictures that night???
August 20, 200420 yr I might try to get out to get some pics. It's also the first day of the fall semester, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to.
August 22, 200420 yr Underground Railroad preservationists struggle as new museum 8/22/2004, 3:53 p.m. ET The Associated Press COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A state organization that works to restore and preserve sites along the Underground Railroad says it's struggling for funds, in part because of the new museum devoted to the secret network that helped slaves escape north to freedom. More than 400 sites are in danger of disappearing because the Ohio Underground Railroad Association has had to rely on funds from charity dinners and small donations, including from schoolchildren, said Connie Quarles, an association regional coordinator. "There is money, but it's really hard to find," Quarles said. "Meanwhile, we lose a lot of sites." The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, which is officially dedicated Monday, got about 40 percent of its funding from local, state and federal government contributions. Fund-raising efforts brought in donations from companies and individuals, including celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey. The center is expected to generate $40 million a year in income and tourism-related revenues. Beverly Gray, coordinator for the southern region of the Ohio Underground Railroad Association, said groups like hers can't look to the government for help. "Believe me, if there was money, we would've gotten it by now," she said. "We have no beef with what the Freedom Center is doing, but we wish we had money, too." Spencer Crew, executive director of the Freedom Center, said it wasn't intended to shift interest and support from programs that work to restore and preserve homes and other hideouts along the Underground Railroad. "While we can offer history, we'll encourage people to see the Underground Railroad sites," he said. The Ohio Underground Railroad Association's all-volunteer team has identified more than 600 sites in the state and works to document the connection of each to the slaves who fled to freedom. At least one site expects to gain visibility through the Freedom Center. The Rankin House sits on a hill, close to the Ohio River, overlooking the village of Ripley. A light in its upstairs window, lit by the Rev. John Rankin, guided slaves safely to his home, where they hid in the cellar or secret alcoves. Winfrey visited in October to film a documentary about the village's and Rankin's role in the anti-slavery movement for Freedom Center visitors. Preservationists said they hope the film inspires people to see the home in person. Saving sites like the Rankin House is more important than paying for another museum, said Leslie Blankenship of the Ohio Underground Railroad Association. "You go to the Rankin House and look into Kentucky over the Ohio River, and tell me that's not better," she said. "There's a spell that's woven there that you can't get in a museum." What is the state thinking?? its going to grant money to the museum even though it can keep up its other underground railroad sites?? Something just sounds shady here.
August 22, 200420 yr Has anyone here ever been to the Rankin House? I went, one clear cold late fall day, c ..up on a hill it is..way up...overlooking Ripley (which is an interesting little town), the Ohio and Kentucky. Great site.....
August 23, 200420 yr I'm gonna head out of the house around 9pm tonight to get some pics. Let me know if ayone wants to meet up.
August 28, 200420 yr I posted a few pics of it in the Ohio City section. The ceremony got started late and was a bit disorganized, but nice.
September 24, 200420 yr Doing better than expected! From the 9/24/04 Enquirer: Center hails turnout number Month's sales buoy museum By Denise Smith Amos Enquirer staff writer The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center attracted 30,000 visitors during its first month of official operation, beating attendance expectations by about 30 percent, center officials said Thursday. The $110 million center, which officially opened Aug. 23, attracted 25,000 paying customers and 5,000 visitors who took a free tour on opening night, said spokesman Ernest Britton. http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2004/09/24/loc_freedomcenter24.html
September 27, 200420 yr Has anyone here toured the place since it opened? If not you should. It is a great museum. Easily equal to the new Indiana State Museum or the Heinz Regional History Center in Pittsburgh...maybe better as there is alot of audiovisual stuff going on.
April 5, 200520 yr the mission makes you come back. This center is devoted to freedom not just black folk. Keep conscious of modern day slavery.
May 2, 200520 yr From the 5/2/05 Cincinnati Business Courier: Center has big ideas for its future Lucy May Courier Senior Staff Reporter Just four months before its first birthday, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is exploring the creation of a slavery institute that would require as much as $30 million to launch. Officials envision a think tank and research center that examines issues of human rights around the globe, said Love Collins III, the center's vice president for advancement. Such a center could even offer a "good housekeeping seal of approval" for corporations that do business in countries where human rights abuses occur, he said. http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2005/05/02/story3.html
July 18, 200519 yr Went to the Freedom Center on Saturday. No pictures however . . . I was impressed by the crowd (larger than I thought) and by most of the exhibits (better than expected). I thought the exhibits were better than the new Museum of the American Indian in DC. And the building was equally impressive in my eyes anyway. There is A LOT to read and I would suggest multiple visits to really read everything if you wanted. The 'history of slavery' was indepth and we could have spent an afternoon just reading and seeing all of that. I hope they host traveling or special exhibits.
August 6, 200519 yr They have surpassed their goal, but the figure is still pretty low for new museums. From the 8/6/05 Enquirer: Freedom Center passes goal 280,000 have seen story of Underground Railroad By Janelle Gelfand Enquirer staff writer Friday, nearly a year after the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center opened to the public, it announced that it has exceeded its attendance goal by 20,000 visitors. Since its glitzy opening Aug. 23, 2004, with Oprah Winfrey and first lady Laura Bush, the center has attracted 280,000 visitors, 7 percent more than its hoped-for 260,000. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050806/NEWS01/508060366/1056/rss02
September 18, 200519 yr All post-construction news on the Freedom Center is in a new thread in Restaurants, Nightlife and Attractions: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=5216.0
September 21, 200519 yr Problems. From the 9/16/05 Enquirer: Freedom Center trims $2 million, cuts jobs The Enquirer The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center said Friday it would reduce expenses by $2 million, freeze hiring, and cut 15 positions. "All non-profits --- and the Freedom Center is no exception --- face increasing competition for financial support in Cincinnati and across the nation," said Freedom Center CEO Spencer Crew. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050921/NEWS01/509210350/1056/news01
November 22, 200519 yr From the 11/19/05 Enquirer: Freedom Center help on the way John Pepper takes major role By Allen Howard Enquirer staff writer Former Procter & Gamble executive John Pepper, who co-chaired the capital campaign to raise $110 million for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, plans to return to Cincinnati and take a larger role, several board members said Friday. Pepper's exact role, and the date for his return, are uncertain. Pepper, a 1960 graduate of Yale University, is vice president for finance and administration at his alma mater, and Freedom Center officials said he probably won't return until his replacement there is named. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051119/NEWS01/511190377/-1/BACK
December 9, 200519 yr No surprise. From the 12/5/05 Cincinnati Business Courier: John Pepper named Freedom Center CEO The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center announced today that John Pepper, former Procter & Gamble Co. chairman and CEO, will become CEO of the Freedom Center effective Jan. 1. http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2005/12/05/daily11.html?from_rss=1
March 16, 200619 yr Gee, never would've expected this :roll: Freedom Center seeks bailout At least $2M a year in public funding to be requested BY MARGARET A. MCGURK | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER DOWNTOWN - The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, which posted a $5.5 million deficit in its first 18 months, will need an estimated $2 million to $3 million a year in public funding to continue operating, CEO John Pepper said Tuesday. Pepper's comments are the first time the center has raised the possibility of regular tax-funded support. When the Freedom Center opened in August 2004, officials said admission, memberships, donations and grants could cover its day-to-day costs, but income has not met expectations, Pepper said. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060315/NEWS01/603150339/-1/rss03
March 16, 200619 yr Man, can you imagine the election campaign if they did try to get the funds via a levy? Ouch...the callers to Cunningham's show, and the callers to Jay Love's show - Holy Christ, let's do anything we can to avoid that campaign...
March 16, 200619 yr I really hope for the best for this, but it has always struck me as a one-time-visit-only facility. I hope Mr. Pepper can bring some of those program ideas on-line. I am a little surprised he has already raised $4M in his campaign. If you think the light rail proposal went down big, wait until this hits the ballot. I happened to take these yesterday... Riverviewer - I'm really learning to check UrbanOhio first for my Ohio/Cincinnati digest. Thanks for the thread.
March 18, 200619 yr What Pepper has to say about how he plans to turn things around from the 3/17/06 Cincinnati Post: Freedom Center has a plan to get out Post staff report The decision to seek as much as $3 million in new public funding is only part of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center's turnaround strategy. A more efficient - and more imaginative museum - also is part of the mix. http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060317/NEWS01/603170355/1010/RSS01
March 20, 200619 yr From the 3/19/06 Enquirer: Saving the Freedom Center 'Fundamental miscalculation' means millions in taxpayer dollars needed BY CLIFF PEALE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER Unable to generate enough money to support its operations, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center finds itself at a crossroads - one its leaders knew was coming as long ago as 2002. Chief executive officer John Pepper, the respected former chairman of Procter & Gamble Co. brought in to manage the riverfront cultural center in early December, said last week that the Freedom Center needs at least $2 million in annual funding from local, state or federal taxpayers starting in 2008. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060319/NEWS01/603190400/-1/rss03
March 20, 200619 yr I really enjoyed the Freedom Center when I attended a couple months ago. I spent five hours there and didn't even get to everything. I would definitely go back, especially for exhibits that deal with current issues (I'm very interested in those drawings from Sudan). The coolest part for me was seeing what the visitors to the Freedom Center had drawn in one of the last stations--especially the children. I think the key to its success is expanding its focus on current issues (or even other injustices throughout history--it seemed like the atrocities done to Native Americans could have been expanded on) so it isn't perceived as just a "slavery museum." Freedom is a huge topic, and they can do a lot with it.
March 20, 200619 yr Another reason to finish the Banks, right now the museum is in the middle of nowhere.
March 23, 200619 yr I think The Freedom Center is prime location to hold all kinds of political events, conventions, and speeches. It has the right theme. Charge like 10-15 bucks and grant access to the rest of the museum because regardless of the amount of traffic, you still have almost the same operational cost anyway.
March 23, 200619 yr They advertise this museum on Cleveland radio constantly. Kin iof an "eerie" advertisement with strange music in the background.
March 24, 200619 yr <i>Here's one big box retailer I always liked, glad to hear they are being good corporate citizens. I hate to admit I haven't been to the FC yet. I will make of point of going this year and then buy some Michael Graves stuff from Target.</i> <b>Freedom Center free days continue</b> By Luke E. Saladin Post staff reporter Minneapolis-based Target announced Thursday it will continue to sponsor free admissions to the National Underground Freedom Center once a month through the end of 2006. Target, which owns 1,418 retail stores in 47 states, began the program last fall to celebrate the Freedom Center's first anniversary. http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060324/NEWS01/603240356
March 24, 200619 yr interesting to see the Target contribution, since they are not locally HQed...but thats not too unusual, as Lexis - Nexis is the big funder for the CityFolk Festival here in Dayton, and they are owned by an anglo-dutch corporation.
March 25, 200619 yr I suggest a headline: "COAST opposes everything". Seriously, I don't know why their opposition is even a news story. It's kind of a given. COAST Group opposes Freedom Center subsidy Cincinnati Business Courier - 12:32 PM EST Thursday A coalition of anti-tax crusaders has launched a new campaign against public funding for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. In its "Not Another Nickel" campaign, Citizens Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes, or COAST, urges its members to write or call state and local lawmakers to vote against operating subsidies for the museum. COAST argues the center's lower-than-expected attendance is a sign that "market forces" have rejected the museum. http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/03/20/daily44.html?from_rss=1
March 25, 200619 yr Come on, its a MUSEUM what do they expect? It's not like when you and a group of your friends are trying to find something to do, one of your friends is gonna be like "Dude lets go to the freedom center!". Its for educational purposes and if they think attendance is down too much, they need to really put themselves out there and convince schools from Ohio, Kentucky and maybe even Indiana to have field trips there. All those bus loads of kids =$$$$$$$$$. John Pepper wants 2 million a year in public funding? I bet his salary is almost that much..while the building is basically staying open because they have credit at several banks.
March 27, 200619 yr Do you know how much money Pepper makes as CEO, or are you just guessing? My guess is that he makes somewhere in the neighborhood of nothing, but I don't know...have you seen anything on it? I'd definitely be curious...
March 28, 200619 yr I was just going off on an uneducated tangent. He actually might not work for anything. He's in his sixties. He made 3.2 million a year at P&G right before he retired, then worked at Yale for significantly less (I'm guessing). He's already made his fortune. No doubt he has tons of stock in Proctor and Gamble which makes sense why he had no problem leaving. They changed their corporate structure to be more efficient and promote growth and I'm guessing he would benefit off of it, being a stockholder.
August 31, 200618 yr Freedom Center a priority Area leaders ask state for $27M for 15 projects BY KIMBALL PERRY AND JON CRAIG | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITERS CINCINNATI - Area leaders have submitted a $27 million wish list to Columbus - and the funding priority is getting money for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, a key state lawmaker said Wednesday. "The number one priority in my mind would be the funding for the Freedom Center," said State Rep. Tyrone K. Yates, D-Evanston/East Walnut Hills. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060831/NEWS01/608310335/1077
September 4, 200618 yr From the 9/3/06 Enquirer: Freedom Center now offering discount BY KIMBALL PERRY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER Admission will be half price to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center on all Sundays in September beginning today. Tickets normally costing $12 will be $6, senior and student tickets will be $5, children 6-12 will pay $4 and those under 6 are free. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060904/NEWS01/609040342/1056/rss02
September 7, 200618 yr Museum displays 9/11 items BY REBECCA GOODMAN | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER September 7, 2006 CINCINNATI - Viewers of an exhibit opening Friday that commemorates Sept. 11, 2001, will be asked to become part of it. "September 11, 2001: Global Response & Personal Remembrance" will open in the new changing exhibit gallery on the third floor of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060907/NEWS01/609070335
September 18, 200618 yr From the 9/15/06 Cincinnati Business Courier: Freedom Center cuts deficit by $7M, seeks funding Cincinnati Business Courier - September 15, 2006 by Lucy May Senior Staff Reporter The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center has raised $7 million toward its $10 million deficit reduction plan and has seen attendance growing steadily since spring. The riverfront museum also is talking to government officials about getting an additional $3 million in funding to cover new program and operational costs the center has proposed, said Paul Bernish, the center's chief information officer. http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/09/18/story10.html
September 19, 200618 yr Freedom Center to seek $3M annually BY CLIFF PEALE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER September 19, 2006 CINCINNATI - The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center has pledges for two-thirds of its $10 million goal to fund operations through 2007 but still will need taxpayer money after that. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060919/NEWS01/609190371
October 2, 200618 yr <i>Some interesting ideas here. At least their being aggressive. Brinkmans an assh*le.</i> <b>Freedom Center mulls ideas for revenue</b> Cincinnati Business Courier - September 29, 2006 by Lucy May The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center could offer such services as on-site diversity training for corporations and DNA testing for visitors to help the struggling museum generate additional revenue. The center's leaders are exploring those ideas and others as they work toward making the Freedom Center financially sustainable. http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/10/02/story8.html?b=1159761600^1353364
October 6, 200618 yr <b>State Rep. Tom Brinkman, R-Cincinnati, said the center should sell the building and move to Ripley, the Brown County town that was an important stop on the Underground Railroad for fugitive slaves.</b> That is absolutely not going to happen. What is he smoking? And if he thinks the museum should move there in its current form, how the hell does he think Ripley would be able to support it when Cincinnati (in his thinking) can't? Unbelievable. If you're looking to produce a sound bite, at least base it on reality.
October 6, 200618 yr I give it two more years before this museum is moved down south(Atlanta). Better care should've been taken in evaluating if Cincinnati was even the right location. As far as the building, who knows, maybe it could be used as a school.
October 6, 200618 yr ^There is NO way that this museum will EVER be moved!!!! This is a Smithsonia museum....these things are stable even if they have financial woes. Someone (person, organization) will eventually step in and help the museum....if the situation gets that dire (I don't think it will).
November 14, 200618 yr :clap: :clap: :clap: NFL supporting Freedom museum CINCINNATI ENQUIRER November 14, 2006 CINCINNATI - The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center will announce a major underwriting grant from the National Football League and the NFL Players Association today. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061114/NEWS01/611140392/1056/COL02
November 19, 200618 yr You stay classy Anderson Twp.!! Trustees oppose state money for Freedom Center CINCINNATI ENQUIRER November 19, 2006 Anderson Township's trustees don't want any of Ohio's capital money to be used to help sustain the financially struggling National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061119/NEWS01/611190363/1056/COL02
November 19, 200618 yr Parts of it, sure, but the museum as a whole is definately NOT underwhelming. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
November 19, 200618 yr I don't know CDM. It doesn't move me like the national civil rights museum in Memphis, or the Holocaust museum in Milwaukee.
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