The Sixth Annual Ohio

Underground Railroad Summit
'A Tell of Two Cities'

Sponsored by
The Friends of Freedom Society
Proud Winners of the
National Underground Railroad Millennium Trail

October 19-21, 2001

MUSKINGUM VALLEY CONFERENCE CENTER
at the Holiday Inn, Zanesville Ohio
4645 East Pike (off of I-70 East)
1 - 740 - 453 - 0771

Meeting Notes

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 FOFS-OURA 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 UGRR 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 UGRR. 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 UGRR 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 FOFS and other grass roots organizations in the collaborative efforts to document and preserve the sites and stories of the UGRR. 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 UGRR 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 UGRR Marker. The dedication remarks honoring the area’s proud UGRR 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 UGRR 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 UGRR. She wished FOFS continued success in their efforts. Dr. Bickley, of Charleston, WVA, was appointee to the UGRR 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 FOFS in the recognition of Ohio’s highways and trails as escape routes used by UGRR 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” UGRR 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 FOFS Founder and President Cathy Nelson for their effort in researching and documenting the UGRR story in their respective Regions. To date, FOFS has researched and documented over 750 sites and individuals as participants in the Ohio UGRR story. 

There are now eleven free standing markers and over 100 FOFS 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 UGRR site owned by new member George Adams, was the ‘crowning jewel’ of her many, many outstanding activities with FOFS 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 FOFS Business Meeting followed the open session.

Light a Candle In The Window

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 Connie Quarles at (740) 455-0607 or 454-9661 or fairhousing@coz.org. 

Program

Friday, October 19th

Saturday, October 20th

Sunday, October 21rst

Adjourn

SM = Service Mark of the Friends of Freedom Society, Inc.
Copyright © 2007 Friends of Freedom Society, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.