Cincinnati Terminal: “Cincinnati in Motion”

Cincinnati Museum

On April 5, I went to visit the Cincinnati Terminal to observe the history exhibits. There were multiple exhibits to view about Ohio’s history, WWII, and landscape of Cincinnati. The exhibit that I enjoyed learning about was called, “Cincinnati in Motion” at the beginning of the museum. College students, teachers, and volunteers who were interested in reconstructing the Downtown Cincinnati landscape during the Industrial period constructed it in 1998. This exhibit is 3500 square feet, which is the largest model in the world that consists of 3400 figures and 400 vehicles to bring downtown Cincinnati to life within the exhibit.

There were three main parts of the exhibit I thought were interesting. The transportation system, Proctor & Gamble Company, and Mount Auburn Incline. These models had significant information describing how the people who lived downtown developed a way of life during the Great Depression and War World II. The first model I enjoyed reading about was Ohio’s transportation system. In the Nineteenth and Twentieth century, Ohio trade was an important concept to individuals who were making profitable income to support their families by trading domestic goods along the Ohio River. Many boats had imported goods from other locations to trade with different companies to make a profit. There was different competition that affected river trade, which was the railroad system and trucks transporting goods from other locations. This new transportation changed Cincinnati from walking to where goods were traded to reconstruct a city with streetcars, locomotives, and automobiles.

The second model I was interested in was called, “Ivorydale in 1910’s.” In 1885, one of the largest companies in the world was constructed in Downtown Cincinnati. This business was called “Proctor & Gamble company,” that was located in Ivorydale, Ohio. This business product for consumers that to be used in households and in the war. The famous product used by so many consumers and is still being produced today s called “Ivory Soap.” Proctor and Gamble Company invented many products to help families develop their way of living and assisted the individuals who went into the war. The products produced in this company were Crisco, laundry detergent, first aid kits, and glycerin. The company supported the men and women who served in World War II. The product, glycerin, was used as an explosive to help fight off the Nazis. The type of transportation system the company used to transport their products to other locations was the railroad system. Picture: Proctor and Gamble Company

The third model I was interested in was called, “Mount Auburn Incline.” This model had many features describing the demographics of the outer part of Downtown Cincinnati. This location had the development of suburbs to raise a middle class family. The wealthy consumers were motivated to escape to this area to earn a better living. There was a better transportation system created for the migration of middle class families moving into the area. In 1887, the Mount Auburn Cable Railway was constructed for the middle class families to travel to the downtown area.

I was amazed by the design of the models and learned the history about Downtown Cincinnati. I walked around to explore and observe other exhibits within the museum. I learned more information from this exhibit to give me my idea for my project.

Reference to: www.cincinnatimuseum.com