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The
Friends of Freedom Society Ohio Underground Railroad Association
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National Underground Railroad Millennium Trail
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The National Underground Railroad National Millennium Trail
2000 Lights of Freedom
Event was held on Friday, September 22, 2000 in Gallipolis, Ohio. We
hope that all of you were able to join us in this very special day-long celebration of
freedom!
The date was chosen because President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862, giving freedom to slaves in the rebellious South. |
Many who could not join us physically in Gallipolis, joined us in the spirit of freedom by lighting a candle in the window on the night of September 22, 2000.
Click here for the August 18th press release about the celebration.
There was a full day of wonderful events in Gallipolis, concluding with 2000 people holding candles along the Ohio river that evening in honor of those who escaped to freedom and the countless other souls who did not.
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Walking tour of Gallipolis (self-guided) |
| Underground Railroad Exhibit the Ohio Underground Railroad Traveling Quilt and slave artifacts on display by Freedom Time from Morehead, Kentucky at the French Art Colony at 530 First Ave. (Free & Open to the Public) |
| 1:00 pm - 2:45 pm School Program for 4th grade students (City, County, Christian Schools -9 total) Escape of Jane (by Henry Burke) performed by Patricia Thomas Wilson at the Ariel Theatre (for students) |
| 3:45pm - 4:30pm Lecture/slide presentation Ohio & the Underground Railroad by Cathy D. Nelson at the Ariel Theatre at 426 Second Ave. (Free & Open to the Public) |
| 6:00pm - 7:00pm Unveiling of Underground Railroad Marker at the John Gee Church Guest Speakers: - Anne Wickham - American Express Co. (confirmed) - Stephanie Madden -(invited) White House Millennium Council (representing First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton) (invited) - Reading of Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln with special remarks from Sojourner Truth & Frederick Douglass at the John Gee Church at 48 Pine Street (Free & Open to the Public) |
| 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm Historical Drama - Escape of Jane (by Henry Burke) performed by Patricia Thomas Wilson at the Ariel Theatre at 426 Second Ave. (Free & Open to the Public) |
| 8:45pm 2000 Lights of Freedom - Candlelit Procession closing remarks by: - Ted Strickland, US Congress (confirmed) - Cathy D. Nelson, Executive Director, National Underground Railroad National Millennium Trail - spirituals by soloist, Mr. Terry Davis, Chillicothe, OH at the Ohio River (Free & Open to the Public) |
Note: Many activities, including those indicated above, are free and open to the public. Some private activities will be held by invitation only.
The city of Gallipolis is a beautiful, historic town situated on the Ohio River, and was a major stop on the Underground Railroad.
Please click on the Yahoo Maps button below for a map and directions to the John Gee Church at 48 Pine Street in Gallipolis.
![[ Yahoo! Maps ]](http://us.yimg.com/i/yahootogo/buttons/yahoo_maps.gif){kind=small}
Hotels in the Gallipolis area include:
| Super 8 (740-446-8080) |
| Holiday Inn (740-446-0090) |
| Budget Inn (740-446-7071) |
| William Ann Motel (740- 446-3373) |
You can travel by air to Gallipolis via:
| Columbus, Ohio International Airport Car rental available. Approximately two-hour drive from Columbus. Take 270 South - Route 23 South - Route 35 South - to Gallipolis Exit, Route 7 |
| Charleston, West Virginia Airport Car rental available. Approximately 65 miles to Gallipolis |
| Huntington, West Virginia Airport Car rental available. Approximately 35-40 miles to Gallipolis |
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This special event has been made possible by a grant by American Express. |
We gratefully acknowledge the support of all of our sponsors:
| American Express |
| Kroger Co. |
| Governor's Office of Appalachia |
| Bob Evans Farms |
| Ohio Humanities Council |
| Ohio Bicentennial Commission |
| Ohio Arts Council/Appalachian Arts Program 
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Page updated January 20, 2000
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SM = Service Mark of the Friends of
Freedom Society, Inc. |
