Latest news with #NationalUndergroundRailroadNetworktoFreedom
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Land deal would preserve historic Guilford Woods for years to come, Guilford College says
GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — A historic stretch of land on the campus of a Triad college will never be developed thanks to a new deal. According to Guilford College, the college and Piedmont Land Conservancy have signed a 'memorandum of understanding' to pursue a conservation easement to permanently protect a large swath of Guilford Woods. Guilford College Bryan Series to end after 20-year run The easement would protect 120 acres of land on the Guilford College campus, including a tree known as the ',' a 300-year-old tulip poplar. This deal would ensure that this area, one of Greensboro's last undeveloped woodlands, according to the college, would never be developed, but would remain owned by the college. PLC wants to fund the easement by raising $8.5 million, which would be available to the college by 2028. 'While the proceeds will not be factored in the current $5 million 'For the Good of Guilford' campaign that concludes June 30, the money will be important in Guilford's longer-term financial strategy,' the college writes. The college states that this is an 'ideal solution' for the community and the college, who have 'long sought' a way to support the college and preserve Guilford Woods, which has ecological and historical value to the community. 'Guilford College is proud to be part of this partnership to preserve Guilford Woods,' said Guilford's acting president, Jean Bordewich. 'We are committed to ensuring this beloved Greensboro landscape remains protected and accessible for generations to come.' 'This is a win-win-win for PLC, Guilford College and the greater community,' said Mary Magrinat, incoming PLC board president and longtime community advocate. 'The land will be permanently protected, Guilford College will receive vital financial support for its programs, and the public will gain official access to pristine green space in a rapidly growing part of Greensboro.' In 2017, the federal government recognized the land as one of the earliest documented sites of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, Guilford College states in their release. This easement will connect to Julian and Ethel Clay Price Park, 100 acres that are also protected by PLC, linking it to Greensboro's existing trail network. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
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.'
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Dedication ceremonies planned
The Appalachian Freedom Heritage Tourism Initiative will host two dedication ceremonies in June, unveiling the historical markers indicating sites added to the National Service's National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. They will be: -June 4, 10 a.m.: The Campbell House, 305 North Fifth St., Ironton. The house was a station for Underground Railroad operations in Lawrence County and the Campbells worked with other abolitionists to assist freedom seekers in the area. At 11:30 a.m., the ceremony moves to the African Methodist Church, 514 South Eighth St., Ironton. Known as Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the place of worship was founded by Retta and Gabe N. Johnson, who helped freedom seekers escape through the Hanging Rock Iron District. -June 8, 4 p.m.: Pleasant Green Baptist Church and Allen Chapel AME Church, both in Portsmouth. Pleasant Green Baptist Church is the Portsmouth's oldest active Black Baptist congregation, founded by formerly enslaved individuals and allies. Allen Chapel AME Church has roots tracing back to the pre-Civil War era; the church 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. The Network to Freedom program, created by Congress in 1998, highlights more than 800 places and programs and verifies that each one is a true story about the men, women and children who freed themselves or were helped by others to escape enslavement. The Network to Freedom program has listings in 41 states, Washington, D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada. For more information, visit
Axios
04-03-2025
- General
- Axios
Researchers uncover Black history at this Des Moines cemetery
As part of our Black History Month coverage, we recently spotlighted several local activists whose contributions influenced the broader Civil Rights Movement. Why it matters: We barely scratched the surface, including history rediscovered from the graves at Woodland Cemetery. Catch up fast: Researchers have in recent years documented more than a dozen Underground Railroad conductors and freedom seekers who are buried there. The National Park Service added Woodland to its National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom list in 2021. Zoom in: Local historian Mike Rowley, who co-authored a book about the cemetery last year, highlighted some of the people buried there who made significant contributions to Black history. John Lay Thompson (1869-1930) Editor and owner of The Iowa Bystander, the oldest Black newspaper west of the Mississippi, into the 20th century. Henrietta Wallace (1833-1913) A Black woman who served three years as a cook for the 39th Iowa Infantry during the Civil War before choosing Iowa as her home. Delia Webster (1817-1904) The first woman imprisoned for assisting runaway slaves. 📺 Learn more: Videos about the lives of dozens of people buried at Woodland Cemetery are available via QR codes at their gravesites or online.
