Springfield—On Sunday, February 17 at 2 p.m., the George Rogers Clark Heritage Association will present a program about the role of Ohio in the Underground Railroad. The presentation will take place in the Clubhouse on the grounds of the Ohio Masonic Home in Springfield. Come in the main entrance and follow the signs.
During the nineteenth century, white abolitionists, slaves and free blacks cooperated to help hide and transport runaway slaves on their dangerous journey to freedom. Ohio, including Clark and Greene Counties, played a prominent role in this movement. Ohio Humanities speaker Cathy Nelson will present a slide-illustrated program about the history of the Underground Railroad and particular stations throughout Ohio.
Presentation speaker Ms. Nelson is the founder and president emeritus of the Friends of Freedom Society, a nineteenth century historical research organization, whose main focus is Underground Railroad research. She also founded the Ohio Underground Railroad Association, an organization comprised of regional coordinators and county researchers from around the state whose task was to research, document, and preserve the rich history of the Underground Railroad in Ohio. She helped to set up similar Underground Railroad organizations in six states.
This event, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by the George Rogers Clark Heritage Association, the organization that hosts the Fair at New Boston at George Rogers Clark Park every Labor Day weekend.