By John Johnston
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Freedom Center, under construction, still needs almost $900,000 in local funds to get a matching grant. (Enquirer file photo) | ZOOM |

A $1 million gift of cash and products from Hewlett-Packard Co. will help the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center tell the stories of escaping slaves and modern-day freedom-seekers.

The gift, to be presented today by HP chairwoman and CEO Carly Fiorina, means the Freedom Center's capital campaign has raised $93 million of its $110 million goal.

HP will provide computing infrastructure for the Freedom Center's state-of-the-art exhibits and digital programming technologies, including video, digital imaging, broadcast, video conferencing, wireless and Internet. When the riverfront complex opens in the summer of 2004, it will be outfitted with hand-held devices, kiosks, workstations, servers and printers supplied by HP.

"Technology will be pivotal to our success at the Freedom Center," said Spencer Crew, executive director and CEO.

Because HP is not headquartered in the Tristate, the gift does not count toward a challenge grant announced in June. If the Greater Cincinnati community contributes $1.5 million to the Freedom Center by Sept. 30, an anonymous donor will match that amount. Thus far, $594,000 has been raised.

Contributions can be made online: www.freedomcenter.org; by mail: Freedom Center Challenge, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati 45202; or by phone: Sarah Dirr, development director, 412-6905.

E-mail jjohnston@enquirer.com