The Freedom Seekers
A Publication of the Friends of Freedom Society, Inc.
Volume 3 Issue 2
December 2001
Note: If you are not a member of the Friends of Freedom Society, please join
us! Membership dues are $35.00, beginning on a calendar year from
January to December. We are a tax exempt charitable organization, under 501(c)
(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
As another year comes to a close, it's time to do a bit of reflecting. 2001
proved to be a great year for the Friends of Freedom Society, Inc. We received a
grant from the Ohio Travel and Tourism to develop our new Ohio's Hill Country Underground Railroad
Heritage Area Program. We are well under way with the production of our new
book, Freedom Seekers: Ohio and the Underground Railroad, due to come out in
2002. Our historic marker program has been highly successful, with eleven
markers in place around the state, and fifteen more scheduled. Of those fifteen,
the Ohio Dept. of Transportation (ODOT) will fund the twelve markers that will
line the "River to the Lake" Underground Railroad Corridor.
And of course, our 2001 Summit was an overwhelming
success! Connie and the Summit committee did an outstanding job putting
everything together. A sincere thanks goes out to the city of Zanesville for
their warm hospitality and generosity.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our wonderful
volunteers for their time, hard work and patience. We couldn't do it without
you!
Wishing you a Happy Holiday Season and a safe and prosperous New Year!
Cathy
MORE MONEY FOR THE FREEDOM CENTER
In October, Congress voted to approve the Dept. of Interior (National Park
Service) to give the Cincinnati Freedom Center another $3,000.000.00. In
addition, the U.S. House voted to add $1.7million to labor, health and education
spending, which the Freedom Center will receive part of that funding as well.
Dr. Crews (formerly at Smithsonian) is the Center's new director. Mr. Ed Rigaud
and actor, Harry Bellafonte led a march through Cincinnati's slum to, as the
local newspaper read, " take the message of the Center to the streets, and
to show concern for the people."
PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
Congratulations to Southeast Regional Coordinator,
Henry R. Burke, Marietta and researcher & writer, Sandra Moats, West
Virginia, on their recent nuptials.
Kudos to East Regional Coordinator, Jim Caccamo
(deceased) and South Regional Coordinator, Beverly
Gray. Jim was recently featured in a special edition of the magazine
STOW, and Bev was a featured speaker at a recent conference in Tuskegee,
Alabama.
SIXTH ANNUAL SUMMIT "SMASHING" SUCCESS
by Art Thomas
The 6th Annual Underground Railroad Summit of the Friends of
Freedom Society held in Zanesville, OH, October 19-21, was declared a “smashing”
success by attendees. The Summit theme was A Tell of Two Cities which recognized
the differing attitudes concerning the issue of slavery between Zanesville and
neighboring Putnam.
Kudos and congratulations are due the 2001 Summit committee,
chaired by Ms. Connie Quarles of Zanesville. She also serves as the Southeast
Regional Coordinator for the Ohio Underground Railroad Association and is the
2001 recipient of the “Conductor of the Year” award. The City of Zanesville
is to be commended for its warm reception in hosting the Summit.
Friday Welcome
The Friday evening hospitality event was highlighted with a brief statement from
each attendee. Folks from Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Pennsylvania, West
Virginia, Texas, Nebraska, Washington, DC, and Virginia, as well as Ohio,
offered comments.
Saturday Events
Following the Saturday morning breakfast and
President Cathy Nelson’s opening statement, the Mayor of Zanesville, Honorable
John F. Fenton expressed his and the City’s pleasure in hosting the Summit.
The Mayor was followed by Joy Padgett, Director, Governor’s Office of
Appalachia. Ms. Padgett expressed with pride the efforts of the Friends of Freedom Society-Ohio Underground Railroad Association in
researching, documenting, recognizing and educating the Public about the
participation of Ohio’s citizens in the saga of the Underground Railroad.
The
Presbyterian Church and its involvement in the Ohio Underground Railroad was presented by J.
Mark Stewart, Ph.D. Early Presbyterian activity, from shortly after Statehood
(1803) and well before the passage of the 1850 Fugitive Slave Law, was
particularly revealing.
The connection between Dr. Francis Julius LeMoyne and
Nelson T. Gant, the former slave, was presented by Nancy Cain McCombe, Family
Program Manager, Pittsburg, PA and Victoria Robinson of Alexandria, VA. Gant
rose to a position of great importance in the Zanesville area as an entrepreneur
and very active member of the Underground Railroad. The collaborative research efforts of
McCombe and Robinson revealed through the men’s correspondence, the mutual respect following Gant’s freedom.
Nancy Recchie, Benjamin D. Rickey & Co.,
spoke of the Underground Railroad Program in Ohio’s Hill Country Heritage Area. This program
covers the activities of the Wayne National Forest, the Appalachian area of
southeastern Ohio, and the connection between groups such as the Friends of Freedom Society
and other
grass roots organizations in the collaborative efforts to document and preserve
the sites and stories of the Underground Railroad. Recchie’s theme was the need for
communication and collaboration between the somewhat competing groups for the
available dollars in this effort.
Saturday Bus Tour, Activities & Events
Abolitionist Theodore D. Weld’s lecture in 1835 was presented at the
historic Stone Academy. A rousing speech and portrayal by East Regional
Coordinator Jim Caccamo (deceased), with the ‘aside’ remarks from the
lecture attendees, who in this case were actually Summit participants.
An historic overview of the Putnam
Presbyterian Church, founded in 1835 and very active on the Underground Railroad
in the
Putnam/Zanesville area, was presented by Ms. Gaynell Dillon. Following Ms.
Dillon’s presentation and while still seated in this historic building the
Summit guests were ‘overwhelmed’ by the stirring presentation of the famous
Frederick Douglas’ speech Agitate, Agitate, Agitate by the first person
reenactor Paul Anderson of Columbus, Ohio.
The next stop was at the Sixth Street
Bridge for the dedication of the Friends of Freedom Underground Railroad Marker. The dedication
remarks honoring the area’s proud Underground Railroad activists were followed by the
unveiling of the free standing marker with informative text on both sides. The
marker dedication was preceded by a dance interpretation of ‘Wade in the Water’
by the Freedom Sista’s Dance Group, choreographed by Dr. Anita Patrick
Johnson.
The afternoon session concluded with a tour of the newly opened
Zanesville Area Art Museum which featured an exhibit of paintings and other
artwork by artists from the Zanesville area depicting the Underground Railroad movement.
Awards
Dinner Honors Achievers
Keynote Speaker Dr. Ancella Bickley, a self-described
‘kitchen table’ historian, spoke of the ‘grass-roots’ level of
involvement that is not only needed, but absolutely necessary for a full, honest
documentary effort to tell and preserve the rich history of the Underground Railroad. She wished
Friends of Freedom Society continued success in their efforts. Dr. Bickley, of Charleston, WVA, was
appointee to the Underground Railroad Advisory Committee which first met in March of 1993 in
Philadelphia, PA. The committee produced the Special Resources Study, Management
Concepts/Environmental Assessment. This Study published in 1995 provided
Congress with information that eventually led to the National Underground
Railroad to Freedom Act.
Mr. Chris Engle, with the Ohio Department of
Transportation (ODOT), addressed the establishment of a partnership with Friends of Freedom Society
in
the recognition of Ohio’s highways and trails as escape routes used by Underground Railroad
operators and conductors to assist the escaped runaway slaves in their efforts
to find Freedom in the non-slaveholding areas of the United States and the
Western Hemisphere. Signage recognizing the trail from the Ohio River at
Portsmouth to Lake Erie will be designated in the “River to Lake” Underground Railroad
corridor. Other trails are to be recognized at later dates.
Ms. Cassandra
McDonald, soloist and Instructor of Music at Muskingham College provided
selections from Mahala Jackson to Marian Anderson to present day trends. Ms.
McDonald’s selections demonstrated her vocal range, presentation and keyboard
talents. An outstanding performance that included audience participation during
her performance.
The Regional Coordinators were acknowledged by Friends of Freedom Society Founder and
President Cathy Nelson for their effort in researching and documenting the Underground Railroad
story in their respective Regions. To date, Friends of Freedom Society has researched and documented
over 750 sites and individuals as participants in the Ohio Underground Railroad story.
There are
now eleven free standing markers and over 100 Friends of Freedom Society flags around the State of
Ohio, reflecting the depth of commitment by these Coordinators.
Ms. Marie Hope
of Columbus, OH, long time community activist and renowned first person
re-enactor of Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth, was presented a special award
for her lifetime achievements in the service to the memory of these remarkable
women through her over 300 inspiring portrayals of them.
Connie Quarles, Salt
Fork Regional Coordinator and Chairperson for the 6th Annual Summit was named
the Conductor of the Year. Connie’s work on Prospect Place, an Underground Railroad
site owned
by new member George Adams, was the ‘crowning jewel’ of her many, many
outstanding activities with Friends of Freedom Society this past year. Congratulations Connie!!
Sunday Wrap-Up
The Sunday morning wrap-up session included attendee remarks and Terry Davis performing
Amazing Grace. It was announced that the 2002 Summit will be held in Marietta,
OH, October 18 - 20, 2002.
The annual Friends of Freedom Society Business Meeting followed the open
session.
THE REGIONAL NEWS & VIEWS
FAR EAST REGION - from Terri
Blake
I don't have much news but Rueben is getting better and that's a blessing in
itself. Please give my thanks to all the Friends of Freedom Society/Ohio Underground Railroad Association
members for their cards and prayers. They really meant a lot. You never know
until you have been there how much it means to have people show they care.
Rueben and I both say thank you to all.
NORTH EAST REGION
- from Thelma Smith
The International Underground Railroad monuments in Detroit and Windsor are a
must for your vacation tours. They are beautiful, sculptor by Ed Dwight. A group
from the African American Preservation committee attended the unveiling on
Oct.20,2001.
- from Debbie Laveck
By action of the Ashtabula Area Museum & Historical Society Board of
Trustees, the Hubbard House Underground Railroad Museum in Ashtabula (the only Underground Railroad
terminus open as a museum in the State of Ohio) was closed effective November
16, 2001 until Memorial Day weekend of 2002. All programs and activities,
including school and bus tours, Saturday Seminars, and Black History Month
programs have been cancelled.
This is a terrible setback for the museum and Underground Railroad history.
This year we had added a growing Kids and History installation, giving children
and adults the opportunity to build some of the quilt squares based on
Jacqueline Tobin's book; a Underground Railroad "Survial Quiz"; and a
special "Now Imagine This..." section. Unfortunately, the bulk of the
members on the Board, have not, in my 2 1/2 year tenure, ever walked through the
door for a tour or any other activity. There is a move afoot by the parent
society to turn the site over to another, unrelated different organization
within the society, but no concrete action has taken place, as of this date
(12/30/2001).
CENTRAL REGION - from Cathy
Nelson
Downtown Columbus' Underground Railroad historic house museum, the Kelton
House will be the headquarters for the new Underground Railroad Learning Station
for children. It is scheduled to open in the spring. Leslie Blankenship, Lisa
Staggenborg, Amanda and Cathy Nelson serve on the advisory board. Former South
West Region Coordinator, Mr. Don Ross has applied for the Learning Station's
Education Coordinator. Don recently moved to Pickerington, OH, a suburb of
Columbus.
WEST REGION - from Madalene
Norris
The Stephen Blanchard House, Houston, OH was recently awarded an Underground
Railroad plaque, sponsored by the Friends of Freedom Society and the Shelby
County Historical Society. The dedication was held on Sunday, November 4, and
was attended by West Region Coordinator, Madalene Norris. The Blanchards were
Quakers, and came to Ohio in 1818. One account had Stephen Blanchard outwitting
slave hunters by pretending to search for runaway slaves in his cornfield.
Carrying a tin-punced lantern, he would lead the hunters in wild directions so
the runaways could always see the light, thus avoiding capture.
EAST REGION
- from Robb Hyde, President,
Alliance Area Preservation Society T
he Alliance Area Preservation Society took possession of the Haines House in
the first week of August. Haines House was on the Friends of Freedom Society's -
Ohio Underground Railroad Association's endangered site list for the past two
years and is perhaps Stark County's most significant Underground Railroad site.
After taking possession of the property, Society volunteers spent time cleaning
both inside and out, getting some of the basic utilities reinstalled and began
working to flesh out plans for renovation. They have a also launched a web site,
thanks to some help from Alliance's Rodman Library, at www.haineshouse.org.
Finally, and perhaps most exciting, they held their first public open house on
Saturday, September 22, the anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. The
group hoped for a few dozen people to stop in to get a kind of
"before" picture of the House, but as it turned out almost 200 people
visited the House in the space of two hours. After a year and a half of knowing
that the group was interested in preserving Alliance history, it was extremely
gratifying to see that many, many people were also interested in the Haines
House and its stories. Just as encOhio Underground Railroad Associationging has
been the response from the Alliance community to our fundraising efforts. As of
December, the Preservation Society has raised just over $29,000 towards the
purchase price, and an additional commitment in excess of $27,000 over the next
five years for renovation costs. The Society has taken a five-year, $15,000
mortgage to cover the remainder of the purchase price of the Haines House.
A history of the Haines House, the Society's three-year plan, links to news
stories and other information is available at: www.haineshouse.org.
- from Cathy Nelson
On Saturday, November 17, Ohio Underground Railroad Association State
Co-ordinator Cathy Nelson, Central Regional Co-Ordinator Leslie Blankenship,
and East Region Co-Ordinator Jim Caccamo (deceased) (along with Amanda
Nelson and Briana Caccamo) traveled to Alliance for an open house and
to see the restoration progress.
SALT FORK REGION - from Connie
Quarles
One of our endangered sites in the Salt Fork Region was purchased this summer
by George Adams, a descendent of the original owners of the site. Mr. Adams
purchased Prospect Place in Trinway from Longaberger Company. He plans to have
his first official tour this summer.
In November I went to Trinway for a preliminary tour and was amazed at the
work George has done. There is still a lot to do, but he has done an amazing
job! He hopes to begin running tours this Spring. George has also volunteered to
work with me on the fundraising committee. George was at the Summit this year
and has become a member of Friends of Freedom. He has even given us one room for
a Regional Friends of Freedom Society office! The PURE Center (Putnam
Underground Railroad Educational) Center, located in Zanesville, is scheduled to
open this fall. One of the ladies hosting the reception at the Muskingum County
Foundation during the Summit sang a few songs for us. Her CD "Light a
Candle in the Window" has been released. It is $15.00. Anyone interested in
obtaining a copy should contact me at (740) 455-0607 or 454-9661 or fairhousing@coz.org.
I have been working with Henry Burke and Corliss Miller on a marketing tool
for the Gallipolis Convention Bureau to use to market tours of our three
communities. This is one of the goals that came from our regional meeting of the
CLG grant. We have also talked about tours between Zanesville - Mt. Pleasant -
Flushing and New Athens. Zanesville's second marker is scheduled for this
Spring. It will be at the Gant House and is being purchased by my ODOT Regional
Director.
Finally - a special thanks to everyone who helped with the Summit. We enjoyed
having you in Zanesville!
BY-LAWS COMMITTEE MEMBERS NEEDED!
Anyone wishing to serve on the By-Laws Committee needs to contact Marla Jones
as soon as possible at jeymar@aol.com. There
will be a meeting scheduled for later in January. Please consider serving on
this very important committee!
A Page From the Editor's Desk - by Debbie Laveck
This is my first issue as your new Editor. I pleaded for information and Wow!
what a response! From the Summit Report by Art Thomas to the Regional
Coordinator's reports, all of it is exciting and important! Take time out of
your busy holiday schedule to read through and see what is happening across the
state.
Send me information for future editions at: lavecks@alltel.net
or 6134 Lucas Avenue Ashtabula, Ohio 44004-6318 or my phone number is (440)
992-0897.
I am planning on a bi-monthly regular edition schedule, but need your help to
get the information out to the rest of the world! I need all news in my hand by
the 15th of the month before publication. Check the schedule below for upcoming
deadlines and publication dates!
PLEASE NOTE: A computer problem, an out-of-state trip to deliver furniture to
our newly-married daughter, and stomach flu slowed up the production of this
issue. (It's never boring at my house!) Now that those issues are all resolved,
and I will be slowly moving into the schedule mentioned above. SEND ME YOUR
STUFF! I still plan on having an edition out in time for February - Black
History Month!
ISSUE DATE DEADLINES
February - January 15
April - March 15
June - May 15
August - July 15
October - September 15
December - November 15
Welcome New Friends of Freedom Society Members
The following individuals have joined the Friends of Freedom Society:
