Dear Vanity Fair

There's been some recent backlash about a Vanity Fair article, wherein they mention that Cincinnatians have "meager pickings" to boast about. I first heard about this through Kate the Great's snappy retort, and shortly thereafter, WineMeDineMe suggested that other Cincinnati bloggers take up the charge.

Kate touched on food and art. A few points of my Cincinnati pride, from a historical perspective:


The Cincinnati Zoo is the second-oldest in the country, with the oldest existing zoo building (the Reptile House). It mates Sumatran rhinos. It's home to white tigers and record-breaking cheetahs. It is one of the best zoos in the country, and I can walk there from our current home in Clifton.


The Cincinnati Reds were the first professional baseball team. Our mayor may not be able to throw a ball, but you must respect the heritage of our original Red Stockings.


The Cincinnati Opera is the second-oldest in the country, trailing only behind the New York Met. Music Hall is one of the most beautiful buildings in Cincinnati and boasts a rich history of its own, including playing host to the 1880 Democratic National Convention.


And Union Terminal (Cincinnati Museum Center) is my personal favorite landmark and stunning example of Art Deco style (not to mention the inspiration for the Halls of Justice).

Cincinnati is much more than the living museum I'm making it out to be, but as I delve deeper and deeper into the history of this city, I become more and more proud of its heritage and its roots. There is art, there is architecture, there is history, and I am proud to boast about the Queen City.

12 comments:

Bradley said...

and not to be one of "THOSE" commentors, but also, the Taste of Cincinnati is the longest running culinary arts festival in the US

Unknown said...

Is it really?!

I thought it was just something that every city has always done. I had no idea!

Bradley said...

well, we just beat out a few other people as of late. it's one of those we're now "technically the longest running", but I'm not sure on what all specifics govern the description of "culinary arts festival"

VisuaLingual said...

I'll have to check out that Vanity Fair article for myself. I'm sure it'll irritate me.

I have to make one point, though, about this "first professional baseball team" claim. Wouldn't it actually be more significant to have the second professional baseball team, since that's what enables an actual professional game to be played? Think about it. Am I crazy?

Unknown said...

You go, redrabbit. Keep fightin' the good fight.

Unknown said...

Hahahaha...

Visual, you are cracking me UP. Now I'm imagining the ol' Red Stockings, sitting around saying, "...Now what?"

prolix21 said...

I think the part I find most offensive from all this is that Cincinnati is labeled as the owner of this ridiculous museum. It's in Kentucky - it was finanaced and built by the lunatics there, yet we're getting the bad publicity from it.

Andy Warner said...

You cannot mention Cincinnati history, especially during Black History Month, without mentioning the HUGE involvement Cincinnati was with the Underground Railroad (and museum).

Reedie said...

I am as outraged as anyone.

But since I must harp still on my guest post, this is EXACTLY how I feel for being discredited as a rube the moment I say I live in the burbs.

VisuaLingual said...

"Now what?" I'm sure that's exactly how it went down.

WestEnder said...

Heh heh... just to clear it up, the Red Stockings were in the same league as all the other teams, they were just the first one where all the players were paid.

VisuaLingual said...

You ruined my funny...

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