Kim Robinson, president of National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, at left, and Douglass W. McDonald, president and CEO of Cincinnati Museum Center, answer questions about the merger of the two local institutions at a press conference Feb. 15 at the Freedom Center. Photo by Dan Yount The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and Cincinnati Museum Center on Feb. 15 announced a visionary plan to take steps to join together in a united corporate structure, with the Cincinnati Museum Center becoming the sole member of the Freedom Center.

When the transaction is completed, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and Cincinnati Museum Center will be united in operations and planning, thereby creating a dynamic and visionary force in the community, said offi cials from both institutions. For the purpose of charitable gifts and other revenue, each organization will be a separate non-profit entity with separate boards. The Board of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center will be responsible for overseeing fundraising, programming and for enhancing the image of the Freedom Center, locally, nationally and globally.

Kim Robinson will continue to serve as the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center leader in this new structure and work jointly with the Cincinnati Museum Center’s senior leadership team, led by Doug McDonald.

Cincinnati Museum Center and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center are iconic and inspirational attractions both regionally and nationally which share a common vision to create engaging, inspiring and meaningful learning environments, said Freedom Center Co-Chair John Pepper.

“This is an unprecedented opportunity for our two iconic institutions and for the men, women and children we serve, said John Pepper, co-chair of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and long-time supporter. “Having examined the case for joining together, I am convinced that this combination of talent and efficiencies will dramatically expand the impact of the Freedom Center's mission, locally and nationwide. Our two institutions will do things together neither of us could do alone.”

Procter & Gamble Co.’s president and CEO Bob McDonald in October met with the Museum Center’s McDonald, who is no relation to him, and the Freedom Center’s Robinson to discuss the possible merger. A Procter & Gamble financial analysis team reviewed each organization’s records and potential terms of the merger.

The savings will eliminate the Freedom Center’s $1.5 million annual budget shortfall and allow the Museum Center money to more quickly pay down its $8 million debt, said CMC’s McDonald. Freedom Center donors had also proposed merging with the Museum Center, he said.

Left: Rev. Damon Lynch, Jr., presiding co-chair of National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and Francie S. Hiltz, chair board of trustees of Cincinnati Museum Center, spoke about the advantages of uniting the two local institutions at a press conference Wednesday at the Freedom Center. The Freedom Center has cut its full-time employees to 34, from 120. The Museum Center has 300 employees, full- and part-time, it was explained at the press conference. The merger will eliminate 4 percent to 4.5 percent of employees – about 15 positions. Other savings come from bulk purchasing. The Freedom Center owns its building. The Museum Center, however, is carrying $8 million in debt, and the savings should help it pay off that debt.

“We know that joining together will strengthen our respective organizations,” said Francie S. Hiltz, chair of Cincinnati Museum Center Board of Trustees and Rev. Damon Lynch, Jr. presiding co-chair of National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. “The result will be creative and dynamic organizations, offering greater financial strength and new opportunities.”

Right: John Pepper, former President and CEO of Procter & Gamble and co-chair of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, said at a news conference Wednesday that a merger of the Cincinnati Museum Center and the Freedom Center would solve the Freedom Center’s financial difficulties. The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and Cincinnati Museum Center will pursue a period of diligence over the next several months. They will begin meetings and dialogue with the community and consideration will be given to the necessary program improvements and transition details needed for the sustainable success of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and Cincinnati Museum Center.

Ed Rigaud, founding CEO of National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and current board member reflected: “As many know, I have a special love for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, having spent 10 years of my life working directly to help make it happen, as the first full-time employee.

“Not many people know that I also served on the Board of the Natural History Museum, when it decided to join with the other institutions that formed the Cincinnati Museum Center, and moved to the beautiful Union Terminal location,” Rigaud said. “It is this positive experience that helps me to envision a successful future for this next partnership between the Freedom Center and the Museum Center. This is a winning formula, and this is the correct and logical next step for our museums.”

City Councilman Christopher Smitherman, who is president of the Cincinnati NAACP, said he supports the merger. “I have great confidence in both leaders, and I view this merger as a positive step for the region.’’