The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center announces that the critically acclaimed family exhibit, "Global Shoes," will open at the Center on Father's Day, June 16, just two weeks after the closing of the current popular art and artifacts Freedom Center exhibit, "In the Hands of African American Collectors: The Personal Treasures of Bernard and Shirley Kinsey." The new exhibit, "Global Shoes," is on loan from the Brooklyn Children's Museum and offers an exciting, fun experience designed to encourage children and their families to explore global cultures within the context of a fantasy shoe store and factory. The exhibition incorporates an intriguing collection of 187 shoes from more than 40 countries and a variety of hands-on, feet-in activities.
"Global Shoes" is free with the cost of admission to Freedom Center guests, June 16 through August 12.
Exhibit visitors at the Freedom Center will be able to slip on reindeer boots from Finland, rice straw sandals from Korea, and embroidered mules from Morocco. "Global Shoes" invites children and families to discover the people of the world through their footwear. Global Shoes sparks children's curiosity through authentic artifacts and interactive audio and video components.
The exhibit is available in English and translated in Spanish, and features two main interactive areas: a shoe store and a factory complex that "manufactures" footwear from around the world. Visitors are encouraged to explore how shoes are clues to people and places through try-on, role-play and investigative activities.
Images from the exhibit will be available online at the Freedom Center's web site, www.freedomcenter.org . The Freedom Center also is planning a series of events throughout the summer related to the exhibit including the Family Freedom Saturdays on the third Saturday of each month.
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
Situated in Cincinnati, Ohio, the Freedom Center celebrates the legacy of courage and multicultural cooperation embodied in the story of the Underground Railroad. Of equal importance, the Freedom Center uses a wide array of exhibits to educate the public about the historic and continuing struggle to establish universal freedom in both the U.S. and around the world.
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