About

Michael D. Morgan, J.D., founder and president

Michael D. Morgan, J.D. brings an eclectic curriculum vitae to Queen City History’s work. In the early 2000s, Morgan, an attorney who focuses on real estate law began advocating for historic preservation and community redevelopment in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Harnessing the simple power of storytelling, Morgan began changing the perception of places through the design of historic walking tours, the development of special events, freelance writing, and books, like the award-winning book Over-the-Rhine: When Beer Was King, which helped transform the image of one of America’s most important historic neighborhoods.

Morgan also leads change through collaboration with institutions and local governments. He has served as chair of several public policy task forces at the request of Cincinnati City Council, including the Historic Building Loss Task Force, which improved the city’s historic preservation policies; the Charter Review Task Force, which led to notable improvements to Cincinnati’s municipal charter; as well as advocating for the creation of Cincinnati’s Board of Housing Appeals, then serving as Chair of the board for its first six years.

Combining legal knowledge, historic research, preservation advocacy, and community engagement, Morgan is responsible for overseeing the creation of two National Register of Historic Places designations in Cincinnati, both with an unprecedented element. The Sohn-Mohawk district is both federally and locally designated; and Morgan drafted the local historic guidelines to become the first in the U.S. to apply visual, more user friendly, form-based code principles. In 2023, Cincinnati Potter’s Field became the first stand-alone, public cemetery for the indigent and unknown to be placed on the National Register. 

Morgan identifies most personally as a writer and creator.  He has been a freelance contributor to a number of publications and written several books about beer. After decades of extensive research and work, Morgan is now telling the story of the largest massacre of civilians by National Guard Troops in US history, through a manuscript looking for the right publisher, and a 9-episode podcast series, with Amy Morgan, and long-time collaborative producer Dan Phenicie, “Truth Deferred: The National Guard Massacre“.

Michael D. Morgan is a graduate of Ohio University and the University of Toledo College of Law. He has taught courses in political advocacy, urban planning law, principles of the craft brewing industry, and beer history and appreciation at the University of Cincinnati, as well as Real Estate Law at the UC College of Law.

Morgan and his work have been featured in a number of publications and broadcasts, including Cincinnati magazine, Ohio magazine, Cincy Magazine,  Governing magazine, multiple articles in the Cincinnati Business Courier, Cincinnati Enquirer, and City Beat. He has made numerous broadcast appearances on radio and television, including the nationally syndicated My Haunted Hometown and internationally syndicated Underground Marvels, and he was declared one of Cincinnati’s “13 Most Interesting People” by Cincy magazine.