Cincinnati Museum Center
Vision
Cincinnati Museum Center will be known for its commitment to understanding the richness of our past, present and future by providing world-class learning experiences for children and adults.
Mission
Cincinnati Museum Center inspires people of all ages to learn more about the world through science; regional history; and educational, engaging and meaningful experiences.
Profile
Cincinnati Museum Center is a one-of-a-kind, multi-museum complex housed in Union Terminal, a historic Art Deco train station and National Historic Landmark. Museum Center’s major offerings at Union Terminal include the Cincinnati History Museum, the Cincinnati History Library and Archives, the Duke Energy Children’s Museum, the Museum of Natural History & Science and the Robert D. Lindner Family OMNIMAX® Theater. Museum Center is the largest cultural institution in the city of Cincinnati, with more than 1.4 million visitors per year. Our permanent and temporary exhibits are supported and complemented by a state-of-the-art collections and research facility, the Geier Collections & Research Center, educational programs, professional development programs for teachers, day and overnight camps, public lectures and programs, tours of historic sites and community-wide cultural events. Museum Center’s collection encompass more than 1.8 million artifacts, art works and archives and is incorporated into our exhibition, research and education programs.
In addition, Museum Center has been working with our collaborate partner, the Ohio Chapter of the Nature Conservancy, to protect the Richard and Lucille Durrell Edge of Appalachia Preserve System for more than 50 years. The Preserve is the largest privately-owned protected natural area in Ohio at 16,000 acres. It provides critical habitats for more than 100 rare plant and animal species. The Eulett Center is Museum Center’s research and education facility at the Preserve. It has increased staff research capabilities, greatly expanded opportunities for educational programming and has enhanced the Preserve’s relationship with the Adams County community.
Institute of Museum and Library Services Medal
In 2009, Cincinnati Museum Center received the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries. The award, given by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, recognizes institutions for extraordinary civic, educational, economic, environmental and social contributions to their communities.
American Alliance of Museums Accreditation
In 2012, Cincinnati Museum Center achieved accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition for a museum. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, to governments, funders, outside agencies and to the museum-going public. Of the nation’s estimated 17,500 museums, 778 (only 4.5%) are currently accredited. Cincinnati Museum Center is one of 26 museums accredited in Ohio and joins the Cincinnati Art Museum, Taft Museum of Art and Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden as accredited institutions in Cincinnati. Cincinnati Museum Center is one of only 16 institutions nationally honored with both the IMLS award as well as AAM Accreditation.
