Latest news with #NetworktoFreedom
Yahoo
4 days ago
- 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
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
These local landmarks are part of NY's Underground Railroad history
The Underground Railroad was a network of churches, safe houses and community centers that led thousands of people escaping slavery to freedom. Northern states like Pennsylvania played a major role in the progression of freedom, and the trail made several stops in New York, including the Southern Tier. Here are some of the local landmarks near Binghamton that played a role in the success of the Underground Railroad, including private homes and churches across the region. This Whitney Point home was owned by George Seymore in the late 1850s and was a spot along the Underground Railroad network. During that time most people who lived in the area knew the Seymore home was being used to hide and assist escaped enslaved people. According to former Broome County historian Gerald Smith, the home was later converted into an antique shop called the Underground Antiques, and eventually turned into a private residence. The Cyrus Gates Farmstead was once used as a sanctuary along the Underground Railroad. On 30 acres in Maine, Cyrus Gates' home — referred to as "Gates' white elephant" — was built in the 1850s by a New York City architect. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. Gates was a cartographer and surveyor, as well as a vocal abolitionist. Up in the attic, the Gates home had an emergency hiding place. Tucked behind a hidden panel in the back of a cupboard, escaped slaves could crawl into a 10-by-20 foot secret room in the house's south wing attic, crouching so as not to hit the four-foot-tall ceiling, when they needed to hide. More: Funeral procession for Binghamton firefighter John 'JR' Gaudet Members of Park Church, originally named the First Independent Congregational Church of Elmira, were active participants in the Underground Railroad. They offered shelter, provided food and finances, and took legal action against slavery. They also prepared a petition to officially record their stance as an anti-slavery church and in 1871, it became Park Church. In 2006, the church was added to the National Park Service's Network to Freedom program. During the mid-19th century, the home of Dr. Stephen D. Hand stood at the site of the current Binghamton City Hall. After moving to Binghamton and starting a successful medical practice, he took an active role in the Underground Railroad. Hand opened his doors to those seeking freedom. His home was near two existing African American churches — the Bethel Church and the First Colored Methodist Episcopal Church — which created a trio of spots in close proximity offering help. The home was demolished in the 1960s and Binghamton City Hall took its place. The building has a plaque to recognize the significant role the Hand home placed in the Underground Railroad. The church is a stop on the Downtown Binghamton Freedom Trail, recognized for its role in the Underground Railroad. The historic marker at the site shares its history as originally the AME Zion Church, a site that was a place of worship and safe spot to rest and receive help while traveling. Rev. Jermain Loguen, director of the Underground Railroad in Syracuse, was also pastor at the church in the 1860s. This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: These Binghamton-area sites were part of Underground Railroad
