National Park Service recognizes Underground Railroad sites through Appalachian Freedom Heritage Tourism Initiative

The Appalachian Freedom Heritage Tourism Initiative has reached a significant milestone in its mission to document the region’s Underground Railroad history. On May 1, the National Park Service announced the addition of eight sites to the NPS National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program, including the Gov. Thomas Kirker Homestead near West Union, Adams County. 

Supported by an Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) POWER Grant awarded to the Lawrence Economic Development Corp. (LEDC), this nine-county, tri-state project spans Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia, and is currently developing a tour to highlight these newly recognized sites. The initiative aims to preserve historically significant locations and promote economic development through cultural tourism in the Appalachian region.

The sites added to the NPS Network to Freedom include:

Gov. Thomas Kirker Family Homestead - 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, stating, "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, 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.”

Tom Kirker, owner of the Gov. Thomas Kirker Family Homestead in Adams County, shared his feelings about his property being one of the eight listed: “As a member representing the sixth generation of the Kirker Family, it is with great pride that the Kirker Homestead has been selected by the National Park Service to be included in the Network to Freedom. It seems our homestead continuously provides a look back into the history of Adams County, of which we are proud to share.”

Megan McCarty, Outreach Specialist for Adams County expressed gratitude for being a part of the project: “It has been such an honor to be involved in the research of this project, and it has been an amazing experience to be a part of uncovering the untold history and importance of the Kirker family’s legacy pertaining to the Underground Railroad. Their involvement as a family demonstrates their willingness to help those who needed it most. The Kirker family’s role further highlights Adams County’s importance in assisting freedom seekers on their trek north.”

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 marty@visitlawrenceohio.com or Dr. Andrew Feight at afeight@shawnee.edu or Dr. Cicero Fain III at fainc@marshall.edu.

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