John T. Wilson Homestead
By Tom Cross
The Appalachian Freedom Heritage Tourism Initiative has reached a significant milestone in its mission to document the region’s Underground Railroad history, with an additional eight verified sites now officially listed on the National Park Service’s (NPS) National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.
Supported by an Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) POWER Grant awarded to the Lawrence Economic Development Corp. (LEDC), this nine-county, tri-state project spans the tristate region of Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia. When completed, the Appalachian Freedom Heritage Tour will consist of 27 verified Network to Freedom sites. The initiative aims to preserve historically significant locations and promote economic development through cultural tourism in the Appalachian region.
The Appalachian Freedom Heritage Tourism Initiative will host two dedication ceremonies in Adam’s County on July 10 to unveil the historical markers indicating sites added to the NPS Network to Freedom.
• 10 a.m.- John T. Wilson Homestead,92 Old State Rte 32 Peebles, Ohio,(Opposite Tranquility Community Church)
• 11:30 a.m.- Gov. Thomas Kirker Homestead, 6620 St Rt 136, West Union, Ohio
The Gov. Thomas Kirker Family Homestead in Adams County was a key station for the Underground Railroad in Ohio. There, Governor Thomas Kirker, his wife Sarah and their 13 children actively supported freedom seekers. The Kirker Homestead joins previously listed tour sites including the John T. Wilson Homestead and the Wickerham Inn in Adams County; along with the John Rankin House Historic Site and the John P. Parker House in Ripley, Ohio.
Dr. Andrew Feight, Director of Research and Outreach for the Appalachian Freedom Heritage Tourism Initiative, expressed the importance of this work, staying, “It is exciting to see this Federal investment in the historical assets we have in the tristate region. Our research is recovering important lost chapters of local history that will transform our understanding of the past and help draw interest and visitors to the region.”
Marty Conley, LEDC/Tourism Director of Lawrence County, Ohio, added, “We’re honored that the Appalachian Heritage Freedom Tourism Initiative has helped make it possible for the National Park Service to recognize these Underground Railroad sites. This is a meaningful step in preserving these stories, and we look forward to safeguarding even more local history for future generations.”
The Network to Freedom program, created by Congress in 1998, highlights more than 800 places and programs. The Network verifies that each one is a true story about the men, women and children who freed themselves or were helped by others to escape enslavement. Some succeeded and others, tragically, failed. The Network to Freedom program has listings in 41 states, Washington, D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada.
For more information on the Appalachian Freedom Heritage Tourism Initiative, visit www.appalachianfreedom.com or contact Marty Conley at [email protected] or Dr. Andrew Feight at [email protected] or Dr. Cicero Fain III at [email protected].
