Press Room

PRESS RELEASE
June 16, 2009

PRESS CONTACTS: Chad Mertz, (513) 373-6592, cmertz@cincymuseum.org; or Katie Denis, (513) 345-2651, kdenis@cincymuseum.org

Museum Center launches new Web site

CINCINNATI – As one of the region’s most well-known and beloved buildings, Cincinnati Union Terminal has welcomed more than 150 million visitors since its opening in 1933.

Capturing memories from the millions who have passed through Union Terminal’s doors is the main feature of a new Web site to support Cincinnati Museum Center’s tax levy campaign. The Web site was launched today.

Myunionterminal.org asks visitors to "Be a Star for Union Terminal," encouraging them to post personal stories and photos, view other visitors’ memories and learn more about Union Terminal and Cincinnati Museum Center.

The Web site was designed and programmed by Cincinnati-based Landor Associates, an internationally recognized branding firm.

"This Web site has the potential to capture and preserve some amazing stories," said Douglass W. McDonald, president and CEO of Museum Center. "Every day we hear about people’s wonderful connections to Union Terminal and we’re happy that many of these memories will now be located in one place."

In an attempt to engage as many people as possible, the Web site utilizes the ShareThis widget, an application quickly gaining popularity on the web. ShareThis lets individuals share content to all of their profiles, blogs, friends and contacts, and is compatible with a wide variety of social networks and email options, including Facebook, Twitter, Digg, MySpace and many others.

"We want this Web site to be place where people can connect and feel connected by sharing and reading similar and yet very different experiences with this amazing building," said McDonald.

Campaign Web site
In addition to capturing memories, www.myunionterminal.org is also being used as a place for individuals to become educated on Museum Center’s upcoming fall campaign. While the details are not yet clear, Museum Center hopes to be on the ballot this November.

As with any structure standing for more than 75 years, Union Terminal is in need of significant repair and Museum Center is working to find funding sources to help pay for the estimated $120 million in necessary repairs.

One source critical to preserving Union Terminal will be public funding.

"Tax dollars will be needed for this public building, but we recognize that the tax burden on Hamilton County residents cannot be increased," said McDonald. "Any request will be in accordance with the Hamilton County Board of Commissions Voted Tax Levy Policy."

Compelling Stories
Visitors to the site will read a variety of memories; memories that will evoke laughter, tears, joy and pride.
They’ll read the story of Gayle Kowzan, a resident of Western Hills, whose first memory of her father was seeing him at Union Terminal arriving home from World War II.

They’ll read the story of John Dyer, a resident of Evendale. John’s father also travelled through Union Terminal during World War II, but this story has another layer. John’s son, Lance Corporal Christopher J. Dyer, was recently featured at Union Terminal as part of the Lima Company Memorial. The memorial recognized the brave efforts of 22 fallen Marines and a Navy Corpsman from the Lima Company who lost their lives while serving in Iraq in 2005.

For more information on Cincinnati Museum Center, visit www.cincymuseum.org or call (800) 733-2077.

# # #

Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal is a nationally recognized institution dedicated to sparking community dialogue, insight and inspiration. As one of the top cultural attractions in the Midwest, Cincinnati Museum Center has served as an educational, research and entertainment resource to millions of visitors from around the world.
Organizations within Museum Center include the Cincinnati History Museum, Duke Energy Children's Museum, the Museum of Natural History & Science, the Robert D. Lindner Family OMNIMAX® Theater, and the Cincinnati Historical Society Library. These organizations combine to serve more than one million visitors annually, reaching out to nearly 400,000 young people through hands-on exhibits and programs.
Originally built in 1933 as a train station, Union Terminal stands as one of the last remaining grand-scale Art Deco style railroad terminals. The building is a National Historic Landmark and was renovated and reopened as Cincinnati Museum Center in 1990.For information, call 1-800-733-2077 or visit www.cincymuseum.org.
Cincinnati Museum Center gratefully acknowledges operating and capital support from the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation, the City of Cincinnati, Hamilton County and the State of Ohio.