Underground Railroad Sites

A free brochure, “Ohio’s Underground  Railroad Freedom Stations,” is available from www.DiscoverOhio.com (click “Visitor Information,” then “Free Publications.”)

Cincinnati

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
50 E Freedom Way, Cincinnati OH 45202
877-648-4838
 Road map 
   Impressive building complex on the banks of the Ohio River offers exhibits and films that explore slavery and the slave trade and the role the Underground Railroad. The Ohio River and Cincinnati represented freedom to many escaping slaves. Free audio tours available at the museum or from the website.
    Open Tuesday–Sunday 11 am–5 pm. $12/adult (money-saving coupon on website).

Harriet Beecher Stowe House
2950 Gilbert Ave, Cincinnati OH 45206
513-751-0651
 Road map 
   Focus here is on the author of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” and her family, all active abolitionists. Harriet lived in this house prior to her marriage and based her book on stories and experiences during her Cincinnati days. “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” was the best-selling book of its time.
    President Abraham Lincoln met her in 1862 and greeted her saying, “So you are the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war!” Hours and days change seasonally. See website. Free.

Spring Grove Cemetery
4521 Spring Grove Ave, Cincinnati OH 45232
513-681-7526
 Road map 
    More than 40 Civil war generals and politicians, including Salmon P. Chase, the “Fighting” McCook family and Joseph Hooker are buried here. Cemetery open 8 am–6 pm. Office open Monday–Friday 8 am–5 pm, Saturday 8 am–4 pm and Sunday noon–4 pm.

Ripley

Rankin House
6152 Rankin Hill Road, Ripley OH  45770
937-392-1627
 Road map 
    A major stop here on the Underground Railroad operated by Presbyterian minister John Rankin. As many as 2,000 escaping slaves were sheltered by Rankin and his neighbors. Parker’s work and stories were said to inspire Harriet Beecher Stowe and abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison.
    The restored house with much of its original woodwork and Parker family items overlooks the river. Open Tuesday–Saturday 10 am–5 pm, Sunday noon–5 pm. (Closed Tuesdays mid-December through April.)  $3/adult.

John P. Parker Historic Site
300 Front St, Ripley OH 45167
937-392-4188
 Road map 
    Parker was an ex-slave and a conductor on the Underground Railroad. He prospered operating the Phoenix Foundry and Machine Company and helped lead an estimated 400 slaves to freedom across the Ohio River. Call or see website for hours. $3/adult.

Links to the websites of these places: Ohio Links