Discovering Cincinnati’s Oldest National Historic Landmark and Its Story

Cincinnati: The city recently turned 236 years old, and it’s packed with history. Among its treasures are National Historic Landmarks, which the National Park Service recognizes for their significance to American heritage.

Cincinnati boasts 11 of these landmarks, including the iconic Cincinnati Music Hall and the Roebling Bridge. But which one is the oldest? That title goes to the Baum-Taft House, now known as the Taft Museum of Art.

This charming house, built around 1820, was originally home to businessman Martin Baum. It later became the residence of Nicholas Longworth, who commissioned the talented Robert S. Duncanson to create stunning murals inspired by the Ohio River Valley. These murals, painted in 1848, are considered some of the most important pre-Civil War domestic artworks in the country.

Duncanson, a free Black man from New York, made a name for himself in Cincinnati and Detroit. He broke barriers and became the first Black American artist to gain international acclaim. So, the Baum-Taft House isn’t just a pretty building; it’s a symbol of resilience and creativity.

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This article first appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer, exploring the city’s historic landmarks and their stories.