News

CINCINNATI - As one of the region's most well-known and beloved buildings, Cincinnati Union Terminal has welcomed more than 150 million visitors since its opening in 1933.  

Capturing memories from the millions who have passed through Union Terminal's doors is the main feature of a new Web site to support Cincinnati Museum Center's tax levy campaign. The Web site was launched today. 

Myunionterminal.org asks visitors to "Be a Star for Union Terminal," encouraging them to post personal stories and photos, view other visitors' memories and learn more about Union Terminal and Cincinnati Museum Center. 

The Web site was designed and programmed by Cincinnati-based Landor Associates, an internationally recognized branding firm. 

"This Web site has the potential to capture and preserve some amazing stories," said Douglass W. McDonald, president and CEO of Museum Center. "Every day we hear about people's wonderful connections to Union Terminal and we're happy that many of these memories will now be located in one place."  

In an attempt to engage as many people as possible, the Web site utilizes the ShareThis widget, an application quickly gaining popularity on the web. ShareThis lets individuals share content to all of their profiles, blogs, friends and contacts, and is compatible with a wide variety of social networks and email options, including Facebook, Twitter, Digg, MySpace and many others. 

"We want this Web site to be place where people can connect and feel connected by sharing and reading similar and yet very different experiences with this amazing building," said McDonald.   

Campaign Web site 

In addition to capturing memories, www.myunionterminal.org is also being used as a place for individuals to become educated on Museum Center's upcoming fall campaign. While the details are not yet clear, Museum Center hopes to be on the ballot this November.

As with any structure standing for more than 75 years, Union Terminal is in need of significant repair and Museum Center is working to find funding sources to help pay for the estimated $120 million in necessary repairs. 

One source critical to preserving Union Terminal will be public funding. 

"Tax dollars will be needed for this public building, but we recognize that the tax burden on Hamilton County residents cannot be increased," said McDonald. "Any request will be in accordance with the Hamilton County Board of Commissions Voted Tax Levy Policy."  

Compelling Stories 

Visitors to the site will read a variety of memories; memories that will evoke laughter, tears, joy and pride. 

They'll read the story of Gayle Kowzan, a resident of Western Hills, whose first memory of her father was seeing him at Union Terminal arriving home from World War II. 

They'll read the story of John Dyer, a resident of Evendale. John's father also travelled through Union Terminal during World War II, but this story has another layer. John's son, Lance Corporal Christopher J. Dyer, was recently featured at Union Terminal as part of the Lima Company Memorial . The memorial recognized the brave efforts of 22 fallen Marines and a Navy Corpsman from the Lima Company who lost their lives while serving in Iraq in 2005. 

For more information or to view memories, visit www.myunionterminal.org. For more information on Cincinnati Museum Center, visit www.cincymuseum.org or call (800) 733-2077.