Marietta, Ohio attractions offer wealth of regional, national black heritage

02-16-2009

MARIETTA, OH February 16, 2009) – February is a celebration of Black History and Marietta and the surrounding area are home to several Underground Railroad historic locations worth exploring.

Marietta once marked a major route for fugitive slaves crossing the Ohio River from Virginia. Today, the area is home to several Underground Railroad sites, open to visitors, including Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park, Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History, The Jonathan Stone House, The Sawyer-Curtis House, The Historic Harmar District, Constitution Station, Belpre Historical Society/Farmers Castle Museum Educational Center and Henderson Hall.

 

Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park is home to a reconstructed 18^th century mansion, open to the public for seasonal tours, as well as the intriguing tale and history that includes the Aaron Burr Conspiracy and the story of a slave called Micah "Cajoe" Phillips, who started the Underground Railroad station in Waterford, Ohio. While the island is closed until May, the Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History is open Saturday and Sunday. The museum is open Monday through Friday by appointment only. Please call 304-420-4800 to schedule an appointment.

 

The Jonathan Stone House, located in Belpre, Ohio, is on the National Register of Historic Places. The house was built in 1798 along Ohio's first highway was an Underground Railroad station from 1810 to 1861. This is a private residence and is not open to the public.

 

The Sawyer-Curtis House is also on the National Register of Historic Places. The house was built in 1798 and used from 1820 by Horace Curtis as a major Underground Railroad station. This is a private residence not open to the public.

 

The Historic Harmar District of Marietta is where the first African American was born in the United States Northwest Territory, the home where abolitionist David Putnam Jr. was born in 1808, and a view of the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers that was used as a crossing by fugitive slaves from Western Virginia.

 

Constitution Station located between Marietta and Belpre, on Ohio State Route 7, is the site of the Underground Railroad founded by Ephriam Cutler in 1806

 

Belpre Historical Society/Farmers Castle Museum Educational Center located at 509 Ridge Street in Belpre, Ohio. The Museum has a permanent local Underground Railroad exhibit. Call 740-423-7588 for hours and tours.

 

Henderson Hall, a former slave owning plantation, is preserved to its near original pre-Civil War condition. Henderson Hall is located on River Road off WV 14, 1.01 miles south of Williamstown, WV. Open Weekends from 1:00 - 5:00 pm for tours. Call to schedule group or private tours at 304-375-2129.

 

In addition to the museums, historic houses and districts there are several Underground Railroad site in Washington County, along the Ohio River.

 

These sites include:

·         The Horace Curtis Underground Railroad House in Little Hocking, OH

·         John Stone Underground Railroad House in Belpre, OH

·         Constitution Underground Railroad Crossing

·         Ephraim Cutler Marker at Veto Lake (Ephraim Cutler drafted the veto of slavery in Ohio Constitution)

·         Smith Underground Railroad Station at Cutler, OH

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