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Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Union Terminal in Cincinnati

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Union Terminal in Cincinnati Cover  2

A few weeks ago I was invited to attend a behind the scenes tour to with other Cincinnati instagramers. The purpose of the tour was to show us how Union Terminal is deteriorating and why it’s so important to save this icon of our city.

This building is absolutely gorgeous inside and out.

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

The art deco design and detailed murals boast of it’s former glory. Thousands used to travel through here by train during it’s peak. This building also houses the Cincinnati Museum Center which has 3 museums., The Cincinnati History Museum, Museum of Natural History & Science, and Duke Energy’s Children’s Museum.

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

We started our tour in the newsreel theater. This was a popular spot for train passengers to watch the news while waiting for their train. You can see that the cushions have been worn by the patrons that frequented them.

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

Next, we went out to the rotunda to view the murals and giant sets of windows.

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

That’s right sets! I have been to Union Terminal A LOT and this was the first time that I found out that there are two sets of window panes. Look very closely at this next image for the blue X made with painter’s tape on the window. That is the area we were headed up to during our tour.

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

But first, we climbed several staircases to see the clock from the interior. This is where we got to see both sets of window panes and walk on 2 inch thick glass for the first time.

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

Two sets of windows helped regulate the temperatures the glass floor still allowed light in the building.

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

We took turns climbing a short ladder to take a look at the clock.

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Union Terminal in Cincinnati

 

 

Here is what it looks like from the outside…

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

And here is what the clock looks like from the inside.

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

Upon closer inspection, you can see the cracks in the clock.

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

From 6 floors up we also got the rare opportunity to take pictures from two different windows.  One side gave outside views of the city, the other gave inside views of the rotunda.

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

We had to kneel down on the glass floor and make sure that we were holding onto our cameras with a tight grip.

 

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

I decided to take pictures of the outside first.

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

The views 6 floors up on the inside were pretty incredible too!

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

Remember that blue X that I told you about? Here it is!

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

Next, we took a trip to see the other side of the rotunda. Here is what it looks like from underneath.

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

This is what the rotunda looks like from above.

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

The beams tell stories of people who have been a part of this building’s history.

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

There are also 8 holes in the ceiling of the rotunda that were used for scaffolding. From one of the holes we could see all the way down to the information desk.

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

During our tour we saw many areas of the building that are in desperate need of repair.

 

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

There are beams that are rusting.

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

There are cracks in the foundation.

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

The outside walls are starting to warp.

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

There are also windows that need to be replaced.

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

 

This tour showed us why Union Terminal is on the list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Buildings.

 

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Union Terminal in Cincinnati

 

You can see the damage yourself on one of FREE Repair tours every Saturday in October at 9, 10, and 11am.

 

 

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There is limited space on these tours and its on a first come, first serve basis. *There are also a lot of stairs to climb on this tour.

Behind the Scenes Repair Tour at Cincinnati Union Terminal

For more information on the Union Terminal tours or more about Issue 8, check out the Cincinnati Museum Center website.

 

Union Terminal is located at 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45203.

 

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