Underground Railroad Tour

By Betsy Curry
The Social Justice Program is sponsoring a two-day bus trip to tour the Underground Railroad in Ohio. Thanks to a partial grant received from the WV Higher Education Policy Commission, students are only responsible for paying $50 to take part. The bus is scheduled to depart from WVUP April 7 at 8:30 a.m. and will return around 5:30 p.m. Saturday evening. Transportation for the weekend is provided by Park Tours.

The trip consists of touring The John Rankin House and the John P. Parker House in Ripley, Ohio. Located on Liberty Hill, the Rankin House is a National Historic Landmark, made popular for being a station in the Underground Railroad. The house built in 1828, overlooks the Ohio River. Reverend John Rankin was a firm believer in the freedom of slaves and with the help of Rankin’s 13 children the home was a safe haven to most of the 2,000 escaped slaves that passed through Ripley. Rankin, author of Letters on American Slavery published in 1826, also helped organize the Ripley Anti-Slavery Society.

Another National Historic Landmark is home to African-American abolitionists, John P. Parker. Parker a former slave was allowed to buy his freedom in 1845. He later moved to Ripley where he successfully became known as a patented inventor and businessman before the Civil War. Parker is known for his help in assisting hundreds of slaves find their way north to freedom.

On Saturday, the group will tour the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Freedom Center is the nation’s newest monument to freedom. According to the Freedom website, the center is made up of three buildings that symbolize the cornerstones of freedom: courage, cooperation, and perseverance.

Those attending the trip will spend Friday night at the Quality Hotel & Suites in Cincinnati. Each room is furnished with two double beds and will accommodate two adults.