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CBC
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- CBC
Black hiker calls on others to join him on walk to northern end of the Underground Railway
Social Sharing For years, Ken Johnston has hiked Black heritage trails across the U.S., retracing the steps of civil rights pioneers and the freedom seekers who fled slavery and made the long journey north. In 2022, to mark the 200th birthday of abolitionist Harriet Tubman, he trekked from New York City to St. Catharines, Ont., where many former slaves settled, and where Tubman lived from 1851 to 1862. This summer, the Philadelphia-based "walking artist" will continue north, following the path thousands of freedom seekers took to reach Owen Sound, Ont., the northernmost terminus of the Underground Railroad network, after the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act in 1850. And he's looking for people to join him. "Most of my walks have been solo walks, but this is one that I just feel differently about, and I want to open it up," he said. "Doesn't matter if you're white or Black or Indigenous. If anyone who has a love of history and wants to participate, they can come join for one day, one block or one mile." The two-week, 265-kilometre Walk to Freedom will start at the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center in New York on July 19, crossing the Rainbow Bridge into Ontario and continuing north all the way to Owen Sound. Along the way, Johnston hopes to meet with freedom seeker descendants, and explore early Black settlements, such as Negro Creek in Grey County. "All of this is to give people a sensory experience of just what it was like for these freedom seekers," he said. The itinerary for the Owen Sound walk is posted on Johnson's website, and those interested in participating in the initial cross-border walk can register through Eventbrite. The narrative learned about the Underground Railroad, he said, is that freedom seekers made it to the border, crossed, were free, and that's it, Johnson said. "Well, their life went on from there. Some of them were already free. Some of them were formerly enslaved. It's about discovering their life on the other side of the border." Owen Sound's distance from the border offered safety Owen Sound was one of several terminuses freedom seekers landed, along with Amherstburg, Buxton, Chatham, London and Windsor, said Channon Oyeniran, a historian and PhD candidate at Queen's University. After the Fugitive Slave Act, which gave plantation owners the ability to recapture escaped slaves from free states, Owen Sound's distance from the border provided a sense of safety, she said. "I think they found when they got to Owen Sound they were just able to really build a life for themselves and for their families," she said. Many walked to Owen Sound aided by local abolitionists, she said. Newspapers including The Provincial Freemen and The Voice of the Fugitive also helped to find resources and locate relatives. Freedom walk plans to arrive for Emancipation Festival Johnson says the plan is to arrive in the city on Aug. 2 for the Emancipation Festival at Harrison Park. Founded in 1862, the festival runs Aug. 1 to 3, and is now in its 163rd year. It's believed to be the longest-running festival in North America. Frank Thompson of Kansas City, Mo., will be walking with him for the journey. He previously accompanied Johnston from Galveston to Houston in Texas for Juneteenth, and most recently helped him trace the southern route of the Underground Railroad. "Having grown up in Texas and experienced the Juneteenth celebrations there, being able to see a celebration in Canada that predates all of those celebrations, it's one of the things that's going to be a historical touchpoint for me," Thompson said of the Emancipation Festival. What began as a British Methodist Episcopal (BME) Church of Owen Sound picnic evolved over time into a celebration of Black history by the descendants of freedom seekers, and a commemoration of the Slavery Abolition Act and Emancipation Day. The festival features speakers, live entertainment, food, drinks, and educational presentations. Bonita Johnson deMatteis sits on the festival's board and is herself a descendant. She said the Saturday festivities begin at the park with an opening ceremony at the Black History Cairn, which deMatteis designed. There, those gathered take "a moment to regard our ancestors that we are here, and we gonna be here," she said. The closing feature of the weekend is a gospel fest, which is returning to the recently-restored BME Church. DeMatteis said she remembers attending the festival as a child, not realizing it wasn't just a family reunion or church function. "I have two granddaughters, and they know about it, and I hope their granddaughters will know about it. There's no reason why this has to fade off into the sunset," she said.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Recognizing the Underground Railroad
May 31—Two sites in Ironton to be dedicated on Wednesday The Appalachian Freedom Heritage Tourism Initiative will be dedicating two of Ironton's historic sites in Ironton that were part of the Underground Railroad. On Wednesday at 10 a.m., a marker will be put on the Campbell House, which was the residence of John and Elizabeth Campbell and served as a station for Underground Railroad operations in Lawrence County. The Campbells worked with other local abolitionists to assist freedom Then at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, they will mark Ironton African Methodist Church in Ironton. Now knowns as Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, it 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. "It is exciting to see this federal investment in the historical assets we have in the Tri-State 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," said Dr. Andrew Feight, Director of Research and Outreach for the Appalachian Freedom Heritage Tourism Initiative. "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, said they are 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," he said. The Appalachian Freedom Heritage Tourism Initiative recently 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 (NPS) National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. Supported by an Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) POWER Grant awarded to the Lawrence Economic Development Corp. (LEDC), 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 Network to Freedom program, created by Congress in 1998, highlights more than 800 places and programs. The Network 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. Some succeeded and others, tragically, failed. The Network to Freedom program has listings in 41 states, Washington, D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada. For more information on the Appalachian Freedom Heritage Tourism Initiative, and for additional image requests, visit or contact Conley at marty@ or Feight at afeight@ or Dr. Cicero Fain III at fainc@ You Might Like News Ashland woman killed in UTV accident News Council to fill Arthur seat News A tradition of honor (WITH GALLERY) News Former local meteorologist arrested
CTV News
25-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Arch unveiled honouring legacy of Mary E. Bibb
A new gateway arch was unveiled May 25, 2025, at the entrance of Mary E. Bibb Park, honouring her legacy. (Bob Bellacicco/CTV News Windsor) A new gateway arch was unveiled Sunday afternoon at the entrance of Mary E. Bibb Park, honouring the legacy of Canada's first female black journalist and key figure in the Underground Railroad. Located next to MacKenzie Hall in Windsor's historic Sandwich Town, the park was renamed in 2020 to celebrate the legacy of Mary E. Bibb, who was a teacher, anti-slavery activist, and co-founder of The Voice of the Fugitive, the first newspaper in Canada published by and for Black Canadians. Donations from the public, combined with a grant from the Gordie Howe International Bridge Community Organization and funding from the City of Windsor, helped bring the project to life through the work of the Friends of the Court-MacKenzie Hall. MARY BIBB ARCH A new gateway arch was unveiled May 25, 2025, at the entrance of Mary E. Bibb Park, honouring her legacy. (Bob Bellacicco/CTV News Windsor) 'We are glad to acknowledge her presence and have an arch that welcomes people as she welcomed people through the Underground Railroad,' said Jennifer Moore, a volunteer with the Friends of the Court-MacKenzie Hall. 'Mary Bibb was part of the Underground Railroad. She was bringing people in. We'd like to use this arch to welcome people in and make sure they know that she was an important part of the history of Sandwich Town.' The arch stands as a lasting reminder of Bibb's contributions to freedom, education and civil rights. Community members hope it will encourage reflection on the area's rich history and the people, like Bibb, who helped shape it. 'She was a very important person in our community and wherever she lived,' Moore said.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
What's new for 2025 in Marlboro Township? Restored historic home, proposed police levy
Editor's note: The Canton Repository has asked leaders in every Stark County township, village and city to share some highlights of what they have planned in 2025 for their communities. We will continue to present these community highlights over the next week. See the previous stories in the series below. MARLBORO TWP. − Marlboro Township residents will see the partial reopening of a restored historic house, a possible police levy request, road construction, ongoing wetland restoration and the return of popular community events this year. Here is what's planned for 2025 in the township of roughly 4,200 residents: The Marlboro Historical Society plans to reopen portions of Dr. Kersey G. Thomas's former house and office to the public this year, with some tours being offered on Memorial Day. The society has been working to restore the Greek Revival home at 12315 Marlboro Ave. NE since purchasing it in 2018. It plans to make the building, which was built in 1850, its headquarters and a museum. The 175-year-old structure, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in September, had been the home of Marlboro physician Kersey G. Thomas and his wife, Eliza, in the mid-1850s. Vondea Sheaffer, president of the Marlboro Historical Society, said the Thomases were leaders in the abolitionism movement in Northeast Ohio, and historical information suggests their home was a stop on Ohio's Underground Railroad. Research by Caledonia Northern Folk Studio found 1850s advertisements, meeting minutes and articles in the Anti-Slavery Bugle newspaper of Dr. Thomas's efforts to recruit and train Ohio women as physicians, providing one of the earliest documented women's medical education programs in the state. Eliza Thomas became one of the first female physicians in northeastern Ohio. Since 2018, the society, with help from grants and community support, has restored the home's stone foundation, replaced the roof and gutters, reglazed the vintage windows, replaced the windowpanes with period-appropriate glass, repaired the deteriorated exterior siding, eaves and windowsills, installed period-appropriate solid wood exterior doors and repainted the building. Interior restoration is underway. The society plans to offer tours of the home, including the doctor's office and main parlor, during its ice cream social that will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on May 26. The museum's official opening and the unveiling of the society's first exhibit are planned for Memorial Day 2026, as part of its celebration of America's 250th anniversary. Trustees are considering whether to place a 4.5-mill replacement and a 0.5-mill additional levy on the November election ballot to better fund township police services. The replacement and increase would appear as one tax issue on the ballot. If trustees and then voters approve the five-year levy, it would generate just over $1 million a year. The owner of a $100,000 would pay $175 a year. The current 4.5-mill police levy, which voters replaced in 2021, generates $630,000 a year and annually costs the owner of a $100,000 home roughly $104 a year, according to the county auditor's office. It expires at the end of this year with collections ending in 2026. Trustees have until Aug. 6 to place the issue on the ballot. Marlboro Police Chief Ron Devies provided information that shows the 10-member department's expenses continue to rise. The department faced an unexpected $100,000 in added expenses when its dispatch center closed. Its new dispatch contract is double the previous cost and required the department to purchase new police radios and a new records management system, according to Devies. Trustees also raised officer wages to make the department more competitive after it lost three full-time officers in 2024 to other departments that offered better pay and benefits. Devies noted the department, which was created in 1957 and has had only four police chiefs, still seeks to provide services that many others do not, such as emergency medical care, vehicle lockouts, vacation watch and caring and feeding of lost dogs for at least 24 hours while seeking the owners. The Ohio Department of Transportation will replace a culvert under Ravenna Street NE (state Route 44), just north of Swamp Street NE. The project is expected to begin June 23 and will last up to 14 days. Ravenna Street will be closed between Swamp Street NE and Allen Drive NE. A detour will be posted that uses state Route 619, state Route 43 and U.S. Route 224. As part of the project, the state also plans to install new drainage on Edison Street (state Route 619) near McCallum Avenue NE in Lexington Township. Construction is expected to begin June 9 and last 14 days. At least one lane of traffic is expected to be maintained during construction. The Nature Conservancy, a global conservation organization, is restoring roughly 40 acres of wetlands at the former Bingham Farm property, which sits west of Marlboro Avenue NE, east of Osborne Avenue NE and north of Allen Drive NE. Stark Parks, which purchased the farm in 2002, plans to construct a parking area on the Marlboro Avenue NE side of the park where a dirt trail already exists. The county park district also plans to develop hard-surface trails on the 112-acre property as funding allows. The parking area is expected to be completed next year. The township's annual Memorial Day parade will start at 1 p.m. on May 26 and travel from the square to Marlboro Cemetery, where a ceremony will follow. The Marlboro Township Volunteer Fire Co. and the Marlboro Women's Auxiliary will hold their annual Lunch on the Square, selling food and drinks from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the fire station at 9577 Edison St. NE. Proceeds will benefit the fire department. The Marlboro Township Historical Society and Taggart's Ice Cream will host an ice cream social from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Dr. Kersey G. Thomas House at 12315 Marlboro Ave. NE. There will be no charge for the ice cream, but donations will be accepted. Maize Valley will kick off its fall festivities on Sept. 20, with its paid admission activities open from noon to 7 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays. Activities include wagon rides, pumpkin cannon shows, duck races and its popular corn maze. The historical society will host its third annual Christmas on the Square at 6 p.m. on Nov. 22. The community event held in Marlboro square will feature a Christmas tree lighting, raffles, food and carolers. Reach Canton Repository staff writer Kelli Weir at 330-580-8339 or This article originally appeared on The Repository: Marlboro Township to see Kersey Thomas home partly reopen, levy
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Historical society collects $5K for Underground Railroad exhibit
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — The Preble County Historical Society has received funding to support a major project. In an effort to plan events for America's 250th birthday, PCHS is expected to construct a new Underground Railroad exhibit. PCHS collected a $5,000 grant from America 250 – Ohio, the state' commission for events for the country's milestone in the state. 'This spurred development of an on-site Underground Railroad (UGRR) exhibit to serve as a collection and informative storytelling point which will then lead visitors, interested patrons, and scholars to explore the rich history of Preble County, Ohio involvement as an important piece of the UGRR,' said America 250 – Ohio. As of date, researchers have spent over 1,000 hours in preparation of the exhibit. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
