This landmark exhibition—Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away.—arrives at Cincinnati’s Union Terminal in October 2025, in a powerful partnership between the Cincinnati Museum Center and the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center. With more than 500 original artifacts and 400 photographs, the exhibition brings visitors face-to-face with one of the darkest chapters in human history—while connecting that history to our community and our present.
To make the most of this experience, here are five meaningful ways to prepare:
1. Understand the History
The Holocaust was the systematic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its allies and collaborators from 1933-1945. Before your visit, take time to reflect on the scope and timeline of these events to fully appreciate the gravity of what you’ll see.
2. Learn About Antisemitism—Then and Now
Antisemitism didn’t begin or end with the Holocaust. Understanding its historical roots—and how it still manifests today—is critical to confronting hate in our own time. This exhibition challenges us to recognize the warning signs of prejudice before they escalate.
3. Connect with Local Stories
Cincinnati has its own connection to Auschwitz. Survivors, like Werner Coppel, who passed through its gates made their way to this city—many arriving at Union Terminal—to start over. Their courage and resilience are part of our community’s story, and their voices are featured throughout the exhibition.
4. Reflect on Personal Responsibility
The exhibition asks each of us to consider: What would I do? How do I respond to injustice? Who am I when it matters most? Take time to reflect on your own character strengths and values and the role you can play in building a more just, compassionate world.
5. Deepen Your Experience at the Holocaust & Humanity Center
Before or after your visit, explore the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center, located within Union Terminal. Through powerful exhibits and the stories of local upstanders, the museum helps visitors turn memory into action—and history into a call to courage.
