The Appalachian Freedom Heritage Tourism Initiative announces dedication ceremonies
The Appalachian Freedom Heritage Tourism Initiative has reached a significant milestone in its mission to document the region's Underground Railroad history, with an additional eight verified sites now officially listed on the National Park Service's National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.
Supported by an Appalachian Regional Commission POWER Grant awarded to the Lawrence Economic Development Corp., this nine-county, tri-state project spans the tristate region of Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia. When completed, the Appalachian Freedom Heritage Tour will consist of 27 verified Network to Freedom sites. The initiative aims to preserve historically significant locations and promote economic development through cultural tourism in the Appalachian region.
The Appalachian Freedom Heritage Tourism Initiative will host two dedication ceremonies during the month of June to unveil the historical markers indicating sites added to the NPS Network to Freedom.
The Campbell House, home to John and Elizabeth Campbell, served as a station for Underground Railroad operations in Lawrence County, Ohio. The Campbells worked with other local abolitionists to assist freedom seekers in the area. This dedication event will be held on June 4, 2025, at 10 a.m. and will take place at The Campbell House, 305 N. 5th Street in Ironton.
Also, taking place on June 4 at 11:30 a.m., will be the dedication of the Ironton African Methodist Church. The African Methodist Church of Ironton, Ohio, known today as Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, was founded by Retta and Gabe N. Johnson. The couple helped freedom seekers escape through the Hanging Rock Iron District, a region encompassing the tri-state area of Ohio, Kentucky and what was formerly part of the state of Virginia and is now part of West Virginia. This even will be held at the Ironton African Methodist Church, located at 514 S. 8th Street in Ironton.
Two locations in Portsmouth will be dedicated in on Sunday, June 8.
Pleasant Green Baptist Church, Portsmouth's oldest active Black Baptist congregation, was founded by formerly enslaved individuals and allies and has deep connections to Underground Railroad history in Appalachian Ohio.
Allen Chapel AME Church, a historic African American church with roots tracing back to the pre-Civil War era, Allen Chapel played a pivotal role in supporting freedom seekers in Portsmouth. As a central institution within the local Black community, the church's members, including John J. Minor and his wife, Martha Minor, Joseph Love, John Q. Weaver and his wife, Mary Weaver demonstrated resilience and agency, actively participating in the Underground Railroad and leaving a legacy of courage and hope that continues to inspire future generations.
This dedication event will take place on June 8th at 4 p.m., at 1421 Waller St. in Portsmouth.
Dr. Andrew Feight, Director of Research and Outreach for the Appalachian Freedom Heritage Tourism Initiative, expressed the importance of this work, stating, "It is exciting to see this federal investment in the historical assets we have in the tristate region. Our research is recovering important lost chapters of local history that will transform our understanding of the past and help draw interest and visitors to the region. This is a history for which we all can be proud as Americans and it's an honor and a humbling experience for me to play my part in the endeavor."
Marty Conley, LEDC/Tourism Director of Lawrence County, Ohio, added, 'We're honored that the Appalachian Heritage Freedom Tourism Initiative has helped make it possible for the National Park Service to recognize these Underground Railroad sites. This is a meaningful step in preserving these stories, and we look forward to safeguarding even more local history for future generations.'
'Pleasant Green Baptist Church symbolizes the importance of the history of the African American church as it relates to what it means to help people be set free,' explained Rev. Antonio Neeley, the Pastor of Pleasant Green Baptist Church, who has also served as an Outreach Specialist on the project. 'The church assisted freedom seekers in gaining their freedom, which is important to both American and world history. I am proud to be connected to these great leaders of Portsmouth as an African American male, a pastor, a Christian, and a citizen of the city of Portsmouth.'
Karen Nance, Outreach Specialist for Cabell County, West Virginia reminds us why the Appalachian Freedom Heritage Tourism Initiative is important for the region: 'The biggest thing we need when we tell the stories of slaves is that we need to remember that they were people. They had talent, ambition, work ethic…all the things that make human beings human beings. We know all these things about the enslavers - the architecture they lived in, the clothes they wore — and we need to know more about the enslaved. We're telling heroic stories of people who were seeking their freedom.'
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