National Underground Railroad Freedom Center: a Incredible Journey Through Slavery and Beyond

Cincinnati, Ohio was a well-traveled spot along the Underground Railroad. As slaves fled from the south, crossing the Ohio River offered a sense of having "made it." It is fitting, then, that the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center would choose the banks of the Ohio River in Cincinnati as its home. The Freedom Center, completed in 2004, is an interactive museum and cultural experience chronicling the Underground Railroad, along with all areas of Black History, current culture, and past and present slavery in all its forms. In their own words, "Using the Underground Railroad as a lens through which to explore a range of freedom issues, the Freedom Center offers lessons and reflections on the struggle for freedom in the past, in the present, and for the future. And it helps visitors discover the power of one voice - shared with many - by speaking out about the meaning of freedom." (www.freedomcenter.org).

The mission of the Freedom Center is to "reveal stories about freedom's heroes, from the era of the Underground Railroad to contemporary times, challenging and inspiring everyone to take courageous steps for freedom today." (www.freedomcenter.org). The inspiring and touching exhibits offer educational, historical, and archeological perspectives on the Underground Railroad and other issues surrounding slavery in America. The center is an excellent resource for educators to provide students with an awe-inspiring look at what freedom really means. Specific resources for educators include pre-visit lesson plans, student guides, and special student group tours. Visiting the center with a group of students would be an excellent way to celebrate Black History Month, or just as an experience in and of itself.