Mark your calendars for a sobering journey through history as the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal prepares to host "Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away."—North America's most comprehensive Auschwitz exhibition. Scheduled to open on Oct. 18, 2025, this presentation aims to educate visitors on the horrors of the Holocaust, spotlighting the humanity of its victims and the resilience of its survivors. The traveling exhibit is the most extensive collection of Auschwitz-related artifacts outside of Europe, featuring over 500 original objects and 400 photographs from various international museums, including the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, according to the WLWT.
The exhibition comes to Cincinnati during the year that marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, one of the most significant concentration and extermination camps established by the Nazis. Personal items such as suitcases, eyeglasses, and shoes will bring to light the individual stories of those affected by the atrocities. According to WLWT, highlights include concrete posts from the camp's fence, fragments of a prisoner barracks, and a Picasso lithograph.
Elizabeth Pierce, President & CEO of Cincinnati Museum Center, expressed the unique significance of bringing this exhibit to Union Terminal, a place intrinsically connected to the stories of liberators and survivors. Elizabeth Pierce told FOX19, “In Cincinnati, we have an important and specific opportunity to share the history of Auschwitz and its survivors.” This sentiment reflects the moral responsibility to educate and remember, which is a central theme echoed throughout the exhibit.
Union Terminal itself holds a profound significance, having served as a point of arrival for many Holocaust survivors who came to Cincinnati after World War II. Jackie Congedo, CEO of the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center, emphasized the educational imperatives and the center's role in shaping the community by sharing local survivor stories. “Union Terminal stands as the beacon of hope, e,” Jackie Congedo said in a statement obtained by WCPO.
Luis Ferreiro, Director of Musealia, highlighted the exhibition's collective effort and critical nature, saying via WCPO, "An exhibition this substantial and comprehensive on Auschwitz is unprecedented and is unlikely to ever be assembled again." The exhibition is made possible by international cooperation among museums and institutions, aiming to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies through education and remembrance. Details regarding ticket sales and waitlisting are still forthcoming. Still, the public is encouraged to engage with the ongoing educational efforts at the Holocaust & Humanity Center before the October opening.
