The Friends of Freedom Society
Ohio Underground Railroad Association

Ohio Research

Ohio Underground Railroad Association

The Ohio Underground Railroad Association is the "research arm" of the Friends of Freedom Society. Our sole purpose is to research, document, and preserve the people, places and events associated with the Underground Railroad movement in Ohio. We have divided Ohio's 88 counties into twelve regions. Each region is headed by a regional coordinator, whose responsibility is to identify and work with local historians, researchers, activities, etc. within the counties of their region to gather the data, record and photograph those sites. The research is then entered into our database to be used in the production of books, markers and heritage programs. Operation is under the direction of the State Coordinator. To date, over 700 sites in Ohio have been documented.

Click here for our color brochure in PDF format.

Ohio's 12 Regions

Ohio's 88 counties are divided into 12 regions. Each region is headed by a regional coordinator, who is responsible for working with volunteers and finding local history and genealogical resources. Volunteers for the Ohio Underground Railroad Association gather data, record and photograph area sites.

Doing your own research

If you are interested in researching Ohio Underground Railroad sites, please click here for information to help you get started.

"Freedom Seekers"

The first in a series of well-researched and informative books about the Underground Railroad in Ohio "Freedom Seekers: Ohio and the Underground Railroad" was published in October, 2004 by the Friends of Freedom Press. It tells the story of the Ohioans who helped aid others on their way to freedom on the Underground Railroad. It is the product of years of careful investigative research by the Ohio Underground Railroad Association. The book was first available for purchase at the 9th annual Ohio Underground Railroad Summit. Freedom Seekers is a paperback of approximately 200 pages. Click here to order your copy of Freedom Seekers.

In the future, Friends of Freedom Press plans to publish regional histories for Ohio's four corners and central region, and ultimately, histories for each of Ohio's 88 counties.

Why is Underground Railroad history important?

Too often history is something that happens to other people in other places in other times. It does not touch us. Local history can be the key to unlocking the power of history. When you stand in the very room that a runaway slave stood, history comes alive. Freedom was so important that the slave risked everything - including life and limb - to obtain it. People just like you - no matter your color, your age, your sex, your religion - defied the law and helped the runaways. People in your town. And doesn't that make you think - has enough changed since runaways hid in this room?

Over 100 years ago, the abolitionist Abby Kelly Foster spoke in Ohio. She said that we would only have emancipation by working a thorough change in the minds, hearts and consciences of the people. She said that slaves must not only be freed but given absolute equality before the law. She also said that slavery cannot be abolished without destroying that twin relic of barbarism - prejudice against color; and that the nation must be convinced of the common humanity of black people.

Have we yet realized the vision of over 100 years ago? Have we yet destroyed that relic of barbarism - prejudice against color? It's worth standing where a runaway stood and thinking about what must still be done to change to the minds, hearts and consciences of all of the people.

Why is preservation important?

There is power in seeing history, in touching the things our ancestors touched, in standing in the places they passed, in hearing their stories and understanding their motives. Please look at the success of the Research History class in Washington Court House as one example.

The Ohio Underground Railroad Association is currently focusing on research and documenting all that we can. But this is only one step. We must also find ways to preserve the sites themselves - in every county in Ohio. Too many sites, especially safe-houses owned by free African American, are now gone.

As of November, 1999 the Ohio Underground Railroad Society has documented over 150 sites that have already been destroyed! Please, join with us in our call for preservation and in creating a list of endangered sites.