Press Room

MEDIA ADVISORY
May 21, 2009

PRESS CONTACT: Chad Mertz, (513) 373-6592, cmertz@cincymuseum.org

Museum Center announcing effort to expand National Historic Landmark status for Union Terminal

Press conference set for Saturday, May 23 at 10 a.m.

CINCINNATI – This Saturday, Cincinnati Museum Center will announce an effort to seek recognition for Union Terminal's role as an important home front location during World War II. The Memorial Day Weekend event coincides with special World War II and USO programming in the Cincinnati History Museum.

Throughout World War II, Union Terminal served as a major transportation hub for military personnel and their families. At the height of train travel during the war, Union Terminal averaged more than 34,000 passengers a day.

In 1941, Union Terminal became home to the first Troops in Transit lounge in the country. The lounge served more than 3.3 million military persons during its five years of operation. Perhaps as significant as the sheer numbers served is that Union Terminal’s USO lounge was open to all military personnel. Unlike other USO facilities in Cincinnati and across the country, this lounge was not segregated.

Patriotic music will played throughout the day on Museum Center's famous E.M. Skinner organ.

WHAT: Press event announcing effort to expand Union Terminal's National Historic
Landmark status
WHEN: May 23, 2009 at 10 a.m.
WHERE: Cincinnati History Museum
WHO: State Representative Louis Blessing; State Representative Dale Mallory; State
Representative Robert Mecklenborg; State Representative Connie Pillich; State
Representative Peter Stautberg; City Councilman Greg Harris; Doug McDonald,
Museum Center President and CEO

VISUALS: World War II memorabilia; costumed interpreters; Cincinnati History Museum exhibits

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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.