History, science, architecture and beer highlight 2016 Heritage Program tours
CINCINNATI – Did you know Big Bone Lick has been called the “birthplace of American paleontology?” Ever wondered how much steel it takes to support the world’s second-largest half dome? Curious about how beer is made and why Cincinnati seems to have such a passion for it? Find the answers to these and many more during one of Cincinnati Museum Center’s Heritage Program tours, on sale now.
History lurks inside the walls of the city’s buildings, is buried beneath the ground we walk on, flows through the rivers and creeks and is inside each of us. Cincinnati Museum Center’s Heritage Programs are ready to tell those stories and more.
Climb inside the dome and explore the arched steel structure behind the scenes of one of the city’s most recognized landmarks – Union Terminal. Step from one terminal to another and go inside Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. Learn about the issues of public safety and police and fire operations at the airport, then get a glimpse at the inner workings of one of the global super hubs for shipping giant DHL. Climb the marble staircases, walk the council chambers and visit the Mayor’s office in City Hall , all topped off with a trek to the top of the tower for an incredible view of the surrounding city.
While you’re at eye level with some of the city’s bell towers you might register for a tour of the Verdin Bell and Chime Company . Beginning with the installation of Old St. Mary’s clock in 1842, six generations of the Verdin family have installed more than 50,000 bells throughout the world. Tour the factory for a first-hand look at the manufacturing process and end the day by playing the giant foot piano in Smale Park, each of its 32 individual chimes engineered by the Verdin Company.
For the science lover, tour Cincinnati Museum Center’s paleontology and geology collections at the Geier Collections & Research Center. Brenda Hunda, PhD, curator of invertebrate paleontology for Cincinnati Museum Center, will tell you about the fossils you might find in your own backyard and why the Cut-in-the-Hill is a time capsule spanning millennia. Or look to the sky during a visit to the Cincinnati Observatory , complete with wine and cheese.
Speaking of wine, why not go straight to the source? In the mid-19th century the tristate was internationally known for its award-winning wines. On this tour, visit Meier’s Winery, Ohio’s oldest, and the Vinoklet Winery , where an aerospace engineer created the only working winery and vineyard now in Hamilton County. More than wine, Cincinnati is known for its beer! Tour the historic buildings and churches in Over-the-Rhine that are now the homes of Rhinegeist, Christian Moerlein and Taft’s Ale House , carrying on a tradition true to the city’s German roots. Visit with brew masters and learn more about the beer-making process and sample some of the city’s finest beers.
This year, you can also take a walking tour through some of Cincinnati’s most iconic neighborhoods and areas. Each two hour tour covers approximately 2 to 2 ½ miles and over 200 years of history. Learn about the area’s history, prominent residents throughout history, architecture, preservation and revitalization. Walking tours are available from April through July. Visit www.cincymuseum.org/programs/heritage/walking-tours for more information. Call (513) 287-7031 to register.
Whatever your interest, there’s a tour for you. To register for a tour, please call (513) 287-7031. For more information visit www.cincymuseum.org/programs/heritage.