How it came to be.

Did you know Union Terminal was originally supposed to be a neoclassical building? Principal architect Roland A. Wank of Fellheimer and Wagner along with Paul Philippe Cret, ended up changing the design to art deco later in response to the Great Depression. Lucky for us, a neoclassical building would have been entirely too expensive to construct.

When Union Terminal opened in 1933, travelers entered through the front doors, or through side entrances that led to curving wings reserved for taxicabs and interurban buses. Today, you enter Cincinnati Museum Center through the main entrance—the building’s curving wings have been converted to exhibition space for the Cincinnati History Museum and Museum of Natural History & Science. Plus, there’s really nothing like walking into our gorgeous Rotunda with its arcs of silver, yellow and gold, and the mosaics! It’s breathtaking.

The artistry doesn’t stop there. Noted muralist, Pierre Bourdelle, created the lacquered linoleum panels at the entrance to what used to be the women's lounge. The panels’ brilliant jungle motif is still displayed in its full glory. Bourdelle also created the painting on the ceiling of the Cincinnati Dining Room that features a stylized map of the city. This room has been recently restored to its original grandeur, and has been retrofitted with state-of-the-art audio visual equipment perfect for meetings and events.