Tag: history

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Freedom Center to debut new iPhone app tour this weekend

Cincinnati has historically served as a city that stood for freedom. It was a place of freedom to black slaves fleeing the south and heading north for a free life and the pursuit of that all elusive American Dream. The Ohio River was all that separated these individuals from a new life.

Today, on the Cincinnati riverfront of the Ohio River is the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (NURFC). The NURFC highlights this prolific journey and covers issues of slavery and human trafficking occurring today around the world. Since it opened in 2002, the NURFC has served as a regional and national destination for human rights issues and the education of thousands one of the most significant domestic migrations to have ever occurred in the United States.

New to the museum this weekend will be the debut of an iPod tour that will take visitors on an interactive experience that enhances exhibits, photographs and stories shared at the NURFC.

“Visitors will be able to hear accounts of enslaved people, Underground Railroad conductors, founding fathers, and even slave traders, while viewing additional photographs, videos, and maps on the iPod screen that will further bring to life the poignant and powerful story that is the struggle for freedom,” explained NURFC marketing and communications manager Jamie Glavic.

The iPod tour is narrated by Judy Richardson and was developed by Boston-based Audissey Media in conjunction with Richard Cooper at the NURFC to ensure accuracy and overall quality. The iPod tour is now available on iPod’s app store, and will begin this weekend at the museum located in downtown Cincinnati (map).  Purchase or preview the new app online.

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Arts & Entertainment News

CPA to host event showcasing architectural gems of the Westside this Saturday

Cincinnati proudly boasts fantastic architectural gems. Downtown landmarks like Carew Tower, the Roebling Suspension Bridge, Music Hall, and Union Terminal help to establish a unique sense of place. Uptown, features at the Zoo, University of Cincinnati, and Christ Hospital demonstrate a range in architectural styles found here.

But while Cincinnati’s iconic landmarks leave a lasting impressing on residents and visitors alike, it is often the smaller, lesser-known architectural features that make this city a fantastic place to live.

On Saturday, January 29 at 10am, Cincinnati Preservation Association (CPA) will present Little Known Jewels of the West Side, an overview of hidden historic treasures of Cincinnati’s West Side neighborhoods. The event will be led by UC alumnus Dave Zelman, AIA, a registered architect in the hospitality studio of FRCH Design.

Saturday’s event will be held at the Hauck House located at 812 Dayton Street in the West End neighborhood. This beautiful Italianate stone townhouse on “Millionaire’s Row” was CPA’s original headquarters.

Reservations are required due to limited space. Contact CPA by calling (513) 721-4506 or emailing info@cincinnatipreservation.org. Admission is just $5 thanks to the support from Comey & Shepherd Realtors, City Office which is sponsoring CPA’s Winter Programs series at the Hauck House.

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Business Development News

Beer is brewing in historic Over-the-Rhine once again

Beer is being brewed in historic Over-the-Rhine once again.  Christian Moerlein Brewing Company has returned its brewing operations to the neighborhood where it got its start.  It has been almost 100 years since Christian Moerlein ceased brewing operations in 1918, but the resurgence of the beer brand, neighborhood, and interest in craft beers Christian Moerlein owner Greg Hardman has put his focus squarely on the beer and its long-time neighborhood.

The first beer being produced at the Over-the-Rhine brewery is the Arnold’s 1861 Porter in honor of the 150th anniversary of Cincinnati’s oldest tavern.  Hardman is using a one-barrel pilot brewing system and says that the beer can be produced over the course of 12 days.  The first people to see the brewery in action included Arnold’s Bar & Grill owner Ronda Androski and others associated with Christian Moerlein.

Once fully operational in spring 2011, the new brewery will be able to produce 10,000 to 15,000 barrels of beer annually.  The new 1861 Porter will only be available at Arnold’s (map), and will reportedly first be served at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve (make your plans now).  Those at Arnold’s on New Year’s Eve will be able to enjoy 12-ounce drafts of the new porter for just $1.50 in honor of the tavern’s 150th anniversary celebration.

Our friends at Arnold’s and Christian Moerlein were kind enough to provide UrbanCincy with the exclusive first photos taken inside the new brewery.  The photos capture Greg Hardman, Ronda Androski and others checking out the setup of the brewery located in the Northern Liberties section of Over-the-Rhine.  Cheers.

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Arts & Entertainment Business News

Cincinnati subway book signing this weekend at Neon’s

UrbanCincy’s transportation writer, photographer and videographer Jake Mecklenborg has recently had his book documenting the complete history of Cincinnati’s notorious incomplete subway published. The book dives into the details of the politics, economics, and structural elements of the never completed rapid transit system, and it discusses what might be in store for Cincinnati’s transit future.

Those interested Cincinnati’s Incomplete Subway: The Complete History can join Mecklenborg at Neon’s Unplugged (map) this Saturday, November 27 at 6pm. He will reportedly give a brief presentation on the book and his findings, then open up the discussion for questions and answeres from the audience.

The book retails for $20 and will be available for purchase at this event. Mecklenborg will also be available to personally sign copies of the book for those in attendance buying it for themselves, or someone else as a gift this holiday season.  The event at Neon’s is free and open to the public.

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Arts & Entertainment News

Celebrate German-American Heritage Month with GACL this October

[This op-ed was written for UrbanCincy.com by Don Heinrich Tolzmann, President, German-American Citizens League of Greater Cincinnati.  If you would like to sound off about something for UrbanCincy’s weekly op-ed column, please submit your ideas to urbancincy@gmail.com.]

October is German-American Heritage Month, and this year marks its 21st anniversary. Proclamations have been issued in the past by the governors of Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana and it has been recognized by the Ohio historical organizations as well. And since 1989, I am proud to say that the German-American Citizens League of Greater Cincinnati has sponsored the month in the Greater Cincinnati area.

German-American Heritage Month takes place in October as it is centered on German-American Day, the 6th of October, the date on which the first German settlement was established in America at Germantown, Pennsylvania. It was officially declared German-American Day in 1987 by President Reagan.

Feeling that one day was not enough to cover German contributions to the Cincinnati region, the German-American Citizens League founded German-American Heritage Month in 1989 and has encouraged its celebration elsewhere. Since that time, other places have followed suit. For example, this year, New York City celebrated the month as well.

We hope that other cities and states with a strong German heritage will also join in celebrating German-American Heritage Month.

This year programs will be sponsored by Northern Kentucky University, Kenton County Library, Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County, Hamilton County Genealogical Society, and the German Heritage Museum.

Just think what the Greater Cincinnati area would be like without its German heritage. Without the German heritage, the area would be an entirely different place and look quite different – no Over-the-Rhine, no German brewing heritage, no goetta, no Oktoberfest, no MainStrasse Village in Covington, etc. Many things we accept as part of everyday life in the Greater Cincinnati area would not be here.

Cincinnati’s first Mayor was Major David Ziegler, a veteran of the American Revolution and during the Civil War, German regiments were formed for the Union Army. These and many other facts will be explored during German-American Heritage Month.

German-Americans helped build and make the area what it is today. German-American Heritage Month is the time to not only celebrate this history, but also learn more about it.  A full list of the events taking place during German-American Heritage Month can be found on the German-American Citizens League’s website.