Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center
1301 Western Avenue Suite 2101Cincinnati , Ohio 45203
513-487-3055 | https://www.holocaustandhumanity.org/
Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center
Appropriately located within the historic Union Terminal, where many Holocaust survivors arrived in Cincinnati, The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center Museum shares the history of the Holocaust and stories of its survivors who built a new life in Cincinnati. This museum is engaging and aims to inspire civic conversation- offering a place for remembrance, education and inspiration
Appropriately located within the historic Union Terminal, where many Holocaust survivors arrived in Cincinnati, The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center Museum guides visitors through the history of the Holocaust and stories of its survivors who build a new life in Cincinnati. This museum is engaging and offers a place for remembrance, education and inspiration.
Approximately 140,000 Holocaust survivors emigrated to the United States after World War II. As Cincinnati was the center of Reform Judaism after the foundation of Hebrew Union College (1875), it was a natural midwestern location where survivors could rebuild their lives.
Illustrations line the walls surrounding the front desk of this museum, showcasing moments Cincinnati Holocaust Survivors discussed in their interviews. After checking in, visitors will be greeted by a docent who will explain the layout of the museum. A beautifully-crafted, short film places the Holocaust in context and will begin to introduce the individuals whose stories helped create the museum’s galleries and interpretations.
The next gallery is walks through the major themes and details of the Holocaust, from origins to its aftermath. The exhibitions are interactive, using artifacts to enrich the display but not as the center of focus. Instead, the words from survivors’ interviews take center stage. Their words are presented in various ways, from inspiring exhibits that literally unfold the story in front of your eyes to display clips from oral histories. One of these powerful displays is a cold brick wall with sections of brick missing, where viewers can look through these openings and piece together various stories and incidents from the Ghetto. While the museum houses many artifacts, it features the letters of Cincinnati immigrant Josef Warkany who received many heart-wrenching requests for aid from family members attempting to immigrate to the United States.
Notes for Travelers
Union Terminal also contains free public exhibits such as the “Until We Meet Again: Cincinnati Portraits from World War I,” temporary and traveling exhibits, an OMNIMAX film theater, and three other museums: Duke Energy Children’s Museum, Natural History & Science Museum, and the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center. When paying for admission, you can also pay for a “Discovery Pass” to enter the Cincinnati History Museum, Museum of Natural History and Science, and Duke Energy Children’s Museum; other exhibits and films may include an additional cost. For more information, please consult the Cincinnati Museum Center’s website. Union Terminal offers two dining options that serve sandwiches, salads, flatbread pizzas, coffee, tea, and snacks from 11 am to 3pm. However, if you’d like to pack food instead, lockers are available on a first-come, first-serve basis for only $1 a day.