Cincinnati Museum Center – 15 years later

15 years ago we posted our first review of Cincinnati Museum Center at the world famous (Meanwhile at the…) Union Terminal. It was one of our first reviews because we had been so many times. 5 years later the citizens of the city voted-in a levy to repair the 86 year old station. In 2016 the terminal was shut down. The repairs were massive. For the next two years the Museum Center was closed. In November of 2018 the station reopened.

By 2018, many southwestern Ohio, and tristate area, children and adults had grown up with the iconic layout and displays of the CMC. The massive model of the Queen City, the Public Landing, The Omnimax, the ice cavern and the cave were staples of a visit to the terminal. The question of whether they would return weighed heavily. The Center had a chance to update and upgrade, would it take it.

The Cincinnati Museum center is more than just a museum, it’s 3 museum in one, and a train station, and a gift shop, and a historic land mark, and etc., etc., etc. One can spend all day inside and still not see everything. Housed inside the historic Union Terminal the center is the three museums: The Museum of Natural History and Science, Cincinnati History Museum, and the Children’s Museum.

The Cincinnati History Museum

The Cincinnati History Museum is dedicated to the history of the area. Starting off with a giant train display (worth the admission itself) of the city the museum slowly works back up to the modern day. A lot of the exhibits are well designed and make one feel as if they actually are in the time period described. On busy weekends the museum even has costumed interpreters. The artifacts are not just displayed but used to enhance the story. From a log cabin of the frontier days to a rocking riverboat, every era is brought life.

2009 Review

The History museum seems to be the most noticeably changed area of the entire center. The museum no longer tells a straight story from European settlement to the current city. It now breaks up the story into sections and tells how each part of history evolved in the city, and evolved the city. The first floor still has the large city model, City in Motion. How could it not. The rest of the floor has been dedicated to transportation. There are stories about the canals, the riverboats, and road transportation. Make sure to ride the street car. Its immersive ride has three different routes.

The bottom floor still has The public landing, with the Queen of the West, shops, and hidden surprises. Unlike the older layout, the landing is not set along a timeline of the city, but a “separate” exhibit. Attached to it, through an appropriate shop, is a retelling of the industrial history of “porkopolis.” “Made in Cincinnati” is a love letter to all things invented, improved, or major to the industrial might of the city. There are interactive displays, games, artifacts, and a 4D show. Yes, the big names like P&G, Kroger, Rookwood, and the pork industry are on display, but so are the smaller lesser-known Cincinnati connections like Frank’s Hot Sauce.

Another new exhibit is “You are here.” Telling the story of the average Cincinnatian, this highly interactive area talks about more modern times. Parents will like telling the nostalgia of it, their kids will love the interactivity. This section is a great way to teach with out feeling like a kids museum. Sections of it even grow as visitors interact and leave replies. Make sure to try the quiz. Even for us, great fans of all things Ohio, the quiz show was a challenge, and really fun.

The Museum of Natural History & Science

The Museum of Natural History and Science is just as amazing as the history museum. Starting off with an audio/visual/ artifact presentation one is slowly transported in to a world of learning. As with the other museums the displays are large and looming. The best of which is a HUGE walkthrough cave with 2 separate paths to explore, waterfalls, and bats. The museum does get to be a little bit too scientific at times but quickly gives hands on displays to help enforce the subject matter.

The basis of the Natural History museum has stayed the same, at the same time changing to teach more things. The dinosaurs and hands on activities in the entry area have returned. Beyond that the audio visual present has been replaced with an exhibit on the undersea era of the region. The other end of the museum is a new exhibit on space, with an emphasis on Ohioan Neil Armstrong and his famous trip on Apollo 11. This gallery includes many artifacts, including space suits, gear, and a moon rock.

Inbetween the sea and space are the well known exhibits that have defined the Natural History Museum. The large indoor Cave has been reopened. The ice cavern leading to an ice age land is still as interesting and engaging as it was before. Along with the caves are some other smaller exhibits to round out the museum.

The Children Museum

In the 15 years since we first posted a review we have had a chance to visit the Children’s Museum. The museum is not as large as the other two museums, it is a great place for kids to release some energy between visits to them. There are teaching play areas, areas for make believe, areas with animals and nature, and more. To really burn off energy, crawl and climb and explore the Woods, a jungle Jim like area built in a deep forest. The Children’s Museum is not for adults but great for children.

The Rest of the Station

In 2019 a new museum was added, the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust and Humanity Center. The museum is dedicated to teaching about Holocaust, its victims, its outcome, its connection to the city, and its lingering effects. The museum is an honest look at a troubling event in human history. The museum is very well done and worth at least one visit if time permits. There are some amazing interactive elements, like virtually speaking to a survivor, but due to the subject matter is not for the younger crowd.

The best part of the center is the terminal it’s housed in. With the return and upgrade of the large format screen (Omnimax, which is a domed IMAX) to a working Amtrak Station, Art Deco decor, it has a little bit of everything. Give yourself a half-hour to explore it outside of the museums. More if taking advantage of the four food options. From full meals, pizza, or sandwiches, to the return of ice cream, there is something for everyone.

While still an obvious work in progress, like the new pre European human history gallery coming soon, The Cincinnati Museum Center is still a gem in the state, just with a new polish.

May 2024

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Ohio has a long history with outdoor resources. The early settlers used the forest to build houses, and the fields to grow food. As the state’s population grew, and more diverse resources were used, the state found a need to preserve its natural beauty. The first state parks were based on canal reservoirs, with Licking Reservoir becoming Buckeye Lake State Park in 1896. Many different organizations and local groups worked towards this, but the effort was disjointed. 75 years ago, on May 9, 1949, the state legislature signed in to law the creation of a single Department of Natural Resources.

Feel free to download the pages and print them for personal use, or just check out the dates and the info. They are in PDF format and can be opened in most modern browsers.

May 2024 Download

Free in Ohio: Ohio State Parks

75 years ago on May 9th, 1949 Governor Frank J. Lausche signed into law Senate Bill 13 creating the Department of Natural Resources. Some how by that point the state already had 16 state parks. With some already half a century old, they needed a “system” to maintain them.

Ohio State Parks originated from the canal system and reservoirs developed in the 19th Century by the Ohio Canal Commission for commercial traffic. With construction beginning in 1825, these areas soon became popular for fishing, boating, and family outings. By 1848, when railroads became available for transportation and water commerce was declining, recreational use of the canals and reservoirs increased. The General Assembly in 1894 dedicated Licking Reservoir for use as a public park and changed its name to Buckeye Lake in 1896. In reality, this was Ohio’s first State Park. The remaining canal lakes were dedicated as parks in 1902.

A Legacy of Stewardship – Chapter 2

This system would slowly evolve until 75 years later there were 75 parks. The largest Salt Fork State Park is 17,229 acres. The smallest, Oak Point State Park, on Put-In-Bay Island, is 1.5 acres. With every size in between. All this for the low cost of… free. In Ohio the state parks do not charge an entrance fee.

The large number of parks means that there is a diverse selection of landscapes to choose from. Most state parks are situated around a body of water, be it a lake or river. Almost all are wooded to some degree. Some are very hilly, mostly in the south. Others are flat, in the north where the glaciers carved out the land. There are parks with historic sites. There are sites dedicated to nature. Most are a combination of both.

Probably the thing most people do when in the parks is hiking. Every park seems to have miles of trails. They travel around the lakes, over the hills, and yes through the woods. But so much more is offered. The parks are a great place to go for a picnic, go on a storybook trail, do some fossil hunting, or visit a nature center. There are trails for mountain biking, places to paddle, swim, or play some disc golf. And so much more.

We could list our favorite parks, but we found all are worth going to. We will say make sure to visit Hocking Hills, Malabar Farm, or Marblehead Lighthouse at least once. Which ever one you choose the state parks are a good choice.

Battelle Darby Creek Metro park

1415 Darby Creek Dr, Galloway, OH 43119

https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/battelle-darby-creek

In October 2023, Ken Burns released a new documentary about the American Bison, commonly known as a buffalo. The film focused more on the world surrounding the animal than the animal itself, a reminder that the great animal once roamed this state. As the area was quickly inhabited by settlers, the bison were pushed out. Both hunted and driven off the soon-to-be farmland, the last wild bison is believed to have been killed in Ohio the same year it became a state. Over the next 80 years, their population dropped from 30-60 million to less than a few thousand. Action was needed to prevent their extinction. Ranches formed to farm the animal, National Parks sought to protect herds on their lands, and conservation groups were formed to rebuild their population. Today the number has rebounded to almost half a million. In 2016 the majestic creature was named the USA’s national mammal.

In Ohio there are a few places to see herds of bison. Many farms have commercial herds. The Columbus Zoo has a herd at its zoo, and a larger roaming herd at The Wilds. Just outside of Columbus is probably one of the best places to see them in a more natural setting, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, where in 2011 a herd was transferred from The Wilds.

The bison herd roams the open prairies next to the Nature center. They have both a summer and winter space. Both prairies can be viewed a short distance down the Darby Creek Greenway. Because of the nature of roaming animals the herd may not be visible at times. The winter prairie can also be viewed from the balcony of the Nature Center.

While the bison are a great reason to visit, as the largest park in the Columbus and Franklin Metro Parks system, Battelle Darby Creek is so much more than just a herd of bison. The Nature Center is a must-visit. Inside is a model of the nearby Big Darby Creek. This 53-foot (16.15 meters) long display has running water and living flora and fauna that would be found in the nearby river. It’s almost as if the center cut out a small portion of the river and placed it inside. With the Big Darby being one of the most biologically diverse systems in the Midwest, the model is a great way to learn about it. Along the sides of the building, and in the large back room, are interactive displays and videos that teach about the area, its history, and ways to preserve it.

Battelle Darby Creek has an amazing amount of trails. Running through the park is a portion of the Camp Chase trail, a 12.5-mile-long section of The Ohio to Erie Trail. This paved path is great for biking and walking long distances. It is also ADA compliant. A more natural longer distance trail is the Darby Creek Greenway. This 5 mile trail runs from about the middle of the park north to the old Darby Dan training grounds, where a famous racehorse used to train. Along the way are the bison prairies and the nature center. A shorter trail with historical significance is the Ancient trail that leads to a fort ancient mound. For shorter distances, the park has 12 other trails ranging from 1/2 mile to 3 miles. Some are even dedicated and designed for pet use.

The park also has opportunities for fishing, canoeing, kayaking along both the Big and Little Darby rivers. Want to eat something or have a get together? The park offers reservable and first come shelters with grills. Playgrounds and restrooms are near by. The park has many other standard offerings found at most metro parks.

Battelle Darby Creek is not just a fair weather park. The metro park system offers loads of activites and events year round. In the winter the park has loads to do too. There is a dedicated cross country skiing trail. There is a popular sledding hill. They even have a pond that when frozen is available for ice skating.

Whether visiting just to see the bison, to hike the many trails, enjoy the river, or to have a relaxing picnic, Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park has something for everyone.

Ohio City Nicknames

Some more nicknames of Ohio cities. We thought these were amusing or had a nice reason for being used.

Circleville – Roundtown
Named for its original circle streets, which were later changed to standard straight roads.

Findlay – Flag City
On June 14th, 1968 (Flag Day), every house in flew an America flag.

Greenville – Treaty City
Named for the major treaty signed there.

Marion – Popcorn Capital of the World
Home to Wyandot Snacks and one of only two popcorn museums in the world.

Port Clinton – Walleye Capital of the World
Know for its walleye fisheries in nearby Lake Erie

Reynoldsburg – Birthplace of the Tomato
The Paragon tomato was created by Alexander W. Livingston there.

Sugarcreek – Little Switzerland
Home to a large number of Swiss immigrants and the Alpine Hills Historical Museum

Wapakoneta – Moon City
Birthplace of Noel Armstrong, the first person to walk on the moon.

Willard – City of Blossoms
Known for its large number of blossoming trees.

Zanesville – Clay City
With large clay deposits and a good transportation network, the city had a thriving pottery industry.

from our previous list:

Dayton – Gem City

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_is_Dayton_Ohio_called_the_Gem_City

Cincinnati – Queen City

http://library.cincymuseum.org/cinfaq7menu.htm#queencity

Cleveland – Forest City (among many other ones)

http://www.helium.com/items/1462518-how-did-cleveland-get-the-nickname-of-forest-city

Toledo – Glass City

somewhere on this page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toledo,_Ohio

Sandusky – Roller Coaster Capital of the World

I think it is pretty obvious with Cedar Point there.

Valley City – Frog Jump Capital of Ohio

For the frog jump contest they hold.

I am sure residents of each city have their own heartfelt nicknames and some cities have many nicknames.

Free in Ohio: The Solar Eclipse

On April 8th, 2024, a rare and special event will occur over the skies of Ohio. On that day, the moon will pass between the sun and the earth, causing the sun to be blocked. While we recently saw this, Ohio was on the edge of it and only had a partial eclipse. This year, we are in the center of it. The last time this happened in our great state was in 1806. The next time will be in 2099. Ohio is planning and prepared to celebrate this event.

For more information visit the Ohio.gov Website

Through out Ohio museums, parks, and a lot of other location are planning parties to celebrate and safely view the solar phenomenon. A lot of the cities in Totality are making a full weekend of it, with festival and events before the big show.

Ohio Tourism has a crazy list of places selectable by county: https://ohio.org/home/eclipse

Here are a list of a few highlighted places to visit.

Total Solar Eclipse Areas:

Centerline sites:
There are a lot of small towns, state parks, and other hidden places that will be in what is considered “Centerline Totality.” That means they will get the absolute best view possible, with the longest time of totality, of the eclipse. These sites will get about 4 minutes of totality. They are expecting these area to be quite busy.

Lake Laramie State Park in Minster
Lake Erie shores and Islands – they will get from 3-4 minutes and have tons of festivals planned. With less crowds, and nothing to block the view, on the Lake might be the perfect spot.
Ohio Department of Natural Resources: https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/see-the-sights/solar-eclipse-2024

Cleveland:
Not quite centerline totality but close enough to get 3:50. The Great Lakes Science Center is making a weekend of it (https://greatscience.com/explore/events-programs/total-eclipse-fest-2024)
That weekend is also the NCAA Women’s March Madness Finale Four and Championship. The city will be extra busy.

Akron:
The city of Cuyahoga Falls is having an EclipseFest on April 8th. They are closing the street and opening the top level of their parking garage. As indicated on their website – “Street performers, kids fun zone, face painting, crafts, and activities while we wait for the main event.” Of course they will have live music and food trucks too.

Dayton:
The National Museum of the United States Air Force will be offering big screen viewings of the NASA feed of the eclipse, model rocket launches, arts and crafts, hot air ballon glows, and even a concert afterwords.

Partial Eclipse Areas

Columbus:
The capital city will only be on the edge of the moons shadow and only a portion, albeit a large portion, will be covered. The city will be celebrating though.

Cincinnati:
The Queen City will also only see partially but will be partying.

Toledo:
The Glass City will be offering events but is only a short drive from totality to the south.

April 2024

The Solar Eclipse

On April 8th, 2024, the Moon will cross in front of the Sun, blocking the Earth’s view of it. Because of the time of day and the position of the Earth, this event will pass over the state from Dayton to Cleveland with a 115-mile-wide shadow. In this path, the sun will be blocked for 2 – 4 minutes. Outside the path, the sun will still put on an impressive partial eclipse. With the last time this happened being in 1806 and the next time being in 2099, citizens all over Ohio have been gearing up to celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime event, with festivals, viewing parties, and educational events.

Feel free to download the pages and print them for personal use, or just check out the dates and the info. They are in PDF format and can be opened in most modern browsers.

April 2024 Download

Airstream Heritage Center

1001 W Pike St, Jackson Center, OH 45334

https://www.airstream.com/heritage-center

In 1931 a small factory in California, run by one Wally Byam, started making travel trailers. Soon hundreds of other companies were making them. However it was the Great Depression and th other companies wouldn’t survive. After WW2, People wanted trailers again, and business was booming. Another factory was needed. The company decided to open a second location in Jackson Center, Ohio. By the early 70’s, the business had started to slow, and it was time to close a factory. The choice was made. The California location was shuttered. Now the only place the famous Airstream trailers would be made was in Jackson Center.

The factory was used and loved, but eventually Airstream had outgrown its single factory. In the early 2000’s a second building was opened across the street to manufacture the new line of travel coaches. By the late 2010’s a more modernized space was called for. The original plant was aging and a new plant was needed. It had become such a cultural icon that even tours of the facility were over capacity. Just down the road was plenty of land, and the time was right. In 2018 ground was broken on a new plant, and the the travel trailer manufacturing was moved into the larger, and now empty, old trailer factory.

The new plant was better equipped and designed to handle the demand, and better utilize modern equipment and techniques. At the same time Airstream recognized that it was a popular cultural phenomenon and people wanted to visit, tour, and learn more about the iconic trailers. They kept tours at the travel coach facility, and designed the new location, known as the Mothership, with more than just tours in mind. With a major nod to the nearly 100 years of the iconic streamlined aluminum trailer Airstream opened its Heritage Center.

The Airstream Heritage Center is a vast one-room museum dedicated not just to the history of the iconic trailer company, but also the lifestyle it created. The center uses videos, displays of artifacts, and of course the trailers themselves. Each trailer is open to view, but not enter, except the first modern one.

The start of the museum is a wall with the history of the company and Willy Byam. Then, around the corner, are the trailers. They are set up in chronological order and follow along with the story of not the company so much as the lifestyle and how the company and its products, not just trailers, but all products, affected and created the lifestyle. Each trailer has a sign describing it, most with a video about some aspect of the company or era of the trailer. Nearby are items that would have been used alongside that particular trailer.

The room itself is an outside inside setup with almost a 50’s trailer park vibe. In the center of the room is a fire pit to sit and relax at with comfy lawn chairs and items for kids to play with. To the side is a movie screen projecting the story of the Airstream Caravans. After the trailer park setting, the story moves on to the 70’s and beyond, where innovation led to not just trailers but one unit motorhomes, touring coaches, and more ideas, some successful, some not.

While the center itself is only one room and can be gone through in an hour, it is vast. It is recommended to take one’s time and really explore the history of the company. The trailers are detailed looks into a small niche of Americana in the mid and late 20th century. The artifacts don’t just tell the story of a company but help to immerse visitors in a historic lifestyle that hasn’t died but evolved. The videos explore this evolution. Stories from the participants in the caravans bring to life the troubles of traveling in the 50s & 60s before every country had highways, standardized amenities, and the Internet could find solutions in seconds. The “Around the World” caravan was a 30,000-mile (48,280km), 13-month journey through 30+ countries that needed planning, routing, exploring, and experience to make a success. The Heritage Center tells of all this and more with details that can easily be missed. The videos of Vincent Price narrating the film about the journey are not readily available online. Many of the films in the museum are like this. The center is better experienced with a slow journey into the relaxing lifestyle.

Even if one isn’t into Airstream Trailers, they will like the Airstream Heritage Center. With something for fans of history, manufacturing, Americana, travel, mid-century modern, or design, the place is a hidden gem in western Ohio.

The tours are free but a small fee is required for The Heritage Center. It goes to the Airstream Foundation. They are dedicated to preservation of the lifestyle and brand’s history.

Repost: The Oregon District, Dayton

As the First Four returns to Ud Arena, try not to forget the rest of the fun city.

If your ever in Dayton and looking for something to do, try the Oregon District. The Oregon District is the “hip” strip of 5th Street from The Neon and Smokin Bar-B-Que to the Dublin Pub. This 1/3 of a mile strip of road contains the best selection of bars, restaurants, and shops in one spot downtown. With traditional Irish, German, Thai, local, and bar fare there is something for most people. The shops in the Oregon are unique and eclectic. The food is excellent and the selection huge at the Boulevard Haus, Thai 9, Jays seafood, or the Dublin Pub. Even the smaller bars have a good selection of quality food.

Even if it is not a major party like HauntFest on Fifth, or the First Four, The Oregon District is still a rocking place.

Roadside Wonders – Southwest

When we say wonders we’re not talking about attractions, places designed to get one to stop and spend some money or a few hours, we’re talking about the weird and wonderful things just off the road. Sights and locations that don’t require one to spend money, or possibly even leave the vehicle. Roadside business signs, large statues along a highway, or even a crazy mural (or 200).

We will never be able to include all of the roadside wonders in any part of Ohio. The instant we do, more will be created. Here are a few we wanted to highlight though. We might sound a little vague on some of them, but finding them might lead to other cool things, and that’s part of the fun. Explore, be safe, and have fun.

The Futuro House – Carlisle
This weird looking structure is hidden off the road but stands out in front of a field.
Futuro House, a.k.a. UFO House | 9473 OH-123, Carlisle, OH 45005
Kings Island – When you see it from miles out you know you’re in for a treat. Without even entering the park lots of cool roller coasters can be seen, and of course the 1/3 scale Eiffel Tower.
Ohio’s Largest Musical Instrument – The Deed’s Carillon at Carillon Historical Park stands at 151 feet tall with 57 bells making it the largest musical instrument in the state. It actually holds concerts, and even accompanies the parks band, regularly in the summer.
Cool signs to draw attention – a large fiberglass cougar on Vine street in Cincinnati, a flying pig on a stack of pancakes, Lots of interesting signs along the streets of Cincinnati.
The American Sign museum has even more outside its building.
Downtown Cincinnati – Lots of art installations and murals. Lots of things to see. The Banks, Fountain Square, Music Hall, American Sign Museum, Union Terminal, and more.
Murals – Almost every town along the Great Miami River has a mural or two. Some really nice ones in Middletown, Franklin, and Miamisburg. Cincinnati’s muralists have gone over board making more than 200 murals. During Blink arts fest they even come to life.
https://www.artworkscincinnati.org/public-art/murals/all-murals/

Monuments, statues, and fountains – Most every town has a monument or two. The larger than life Lux Munda in Monroe. The Wrights, and flight, memorials all over Dayton. The Unity of Man in Troy. The National Steamboat Monument in Cincinnati.Dayton’s Inventors River Walk. The tomb of a former president near Cincinnati. The Hartman Rock Garden.
Fiberglass and other Animals – The World’s largest Horseshoe Crab in Hillsboro. Lots of animals at Jungle Jim’s original location. More at Traders World. In Sharonville is a giant Mastodon. All over the place there seem to be large fiberglass animals.
Historic sights – Sure they may look like every other house, an open field, or just a regular part of town, mostly because they are. In Ohio historic places are not just where major treaties were signed or laws passed. They are the houses that help people find freedom, places where great art was written, sites that changed our understanding of power and how to use it, Large monuments to the ancient past and it’s people, and more. History happened in every town and many of them have markers honoring it. Just keep an eye out for Ohio Historical Markers.