Ohio Historical Underground Railroad Trail will feature Akron's John Brown House

A new trail will take people from Cincinnati to Columbus and Akron to Toledo to learn about the long-reaching history of slavery in the U.S. and the role some Ohioans played in the Underground Railroad.

Titled the Ohio Historical Underground Railroad Trail, the Ohio Department of Development and TourismOhio made the announcement Tuesday in honor of Underground Railroad Month, according to an ODOD news release.

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“It is important that we remember the legacy and impact of the Underground Railroad on this country, as well as Ohio’s prominent role in its operation,” Gov. DeWine said in the release. “We’ve created this new trail to show both visitors and Ohioans how to learn more about Ohio’s history as an important connector on the Underground Railroad.”

DeWine signed House Bill 340 in 2022 designating September as International Underground Railroad Month in Ohio, joining 11 other states, state officials said.

The trail will take visitors to 15 historic stops like the John Brown House in Akron and the Haines House Underground Railroad Museum in Alliance.

Additional sites include the Spring Hill Historic Home and Underground Railroad Site. Articles and audio stories from the Hudson Library and Historical Society are available to complement each of the 15 locations.

“There is so much important history in Ohio,” said Lydia Mihalik, Director of ODOD, which oversees TourismOhio. “The work of the organizations and destinations featured on this map is invaluable to preserving our history, and I’m so glad we get to put them in the spotlight.”

To learn more, visit the Ohio Historical Underground Railroad Trail website.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ohio Underground Railroad Trail includes Akron's John Brown House