Duke Energy Children’s Museum closed through spring 2018
HOLIDAY JUNCTION EXPERIENCE NOT IMPACTED. OPENS FRIDAY.
CINCINNATI – Cincinnati Museum Center (CMC) announced today that the Duke Energy Children’s Museum is closed through spring 2018 to accommodate construction activity in the space. 
As crews work to address and repair 84 years of water damage during the restoration of Union Terminal, we now understand that construction activity will have a significant impact on public access to the Duke Energy Children’s Museum. As portions of the Children’s Museum become an active construction zone, Cincinnati Museum Center made the decision to close the area.
“It has been our intention to keep the Duke Energy Children’s Museum open as much as possible through the restoration of Union Terminal, however, this construction activity is more extensive than anticipated and disrupts public access to these spaces,” says Elizabeth Pierce. “While we know this is disappointing to guests right now, this is necessary for future fun in the space as we diligently worked toward securing Union Terminal’s long-term future.”
The current restoration of Union Terminal is the first full structural restoration in its 84-year history. Eight decades of water penetration have taken its toll on the building, seeping through exterior masonry.
One area that proved particularly susceptible to water penetration is the plaza in front of the building, which sits above mezzanine and lower level museum spaces below, including portions of the Museum of Natural History & Science, Cincinnati History Museumand Duke Energy Children’s Museum. Steel beneath the plaza has been affected by water penetration and requires more extensive work than anticipated. This work will occur above and adjacent to the Children’s Museum.
CMC expects this project to be completed in spring 2018. This work does not impact the overall project budget or timeline.
“We are grateful for our community partners who are continuing to share Cincinnati Museum Center’s artifacts and programs throughout Greater Cincinnati as part of Curate My Community and Create More Curiosity initiatives” says Pierce. “We hope everyone will make Holiday Junction featuring Brickopolis a part of their family memory-making activities this holiday season and get a firsthand look at the amazing repair of Union Terminal.”
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About Cincinnati Museum Center
Cincinnati Museum Center (CMC) at Union Terminal is a nationally recognized institution and national historic landmark. Dedicated to sparking community dialogue, insight and inspiration, CMC was awarded the 2009 National Medal for Museum and Library Service from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and received accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums in 2012. CMC is one of a select few museums in the nation with both of these honors, making it a unique asset and a vital community resource. Union Terminal has been voted the nation's 45th most important building by the American Institute of Architects. Organizations within CMC include the Cincinnati History Museum, Duke Energy Children's Museum, Museum of Natural History & Science, Robert D. Lindner Family OMNIMAX® Theater and Cincinnati History Library & Archives. Recognized by Forbes Traveler Magazine as the 17th most visited museum in the country, CMC welcomes more than one million visitors annually. For more information, visit www.cincymuseum.org.
