John Rankin House

John Rankin House
Ripley, Ohio

Imagine all the abolitionists meeting in this house. Who visited? What strength did the runaways need in order to escape to Rankin House along the Underground Railroad? In what way did this affect the movement to free all slaves? How much did this one family of a father, a mother and 13 children affect the lives of runaway slaves and so many others? These are the questions to ponder while learning what happened in this house.

The house was built in 1828 by John Rankin, a Presbyterian minister and leading abolitionist. Here he and his wife, Jean Lowry, raised 13 of their own children in addition to raising other children that came to live with them.

In the 21st century slavery of any human is accepted as a terrible wrong. In the first half of the 19th century many people in the United States – white people particularly -- accepted it as a valid business practice. Promoting social change was as hard then as it is today, and attempting to change social perception leads to persecution. How did John Rankin make this commitment? He received many death threats for him and his family because several powerful people in the South wanted him silenced. If caught harboring runaway slaves he could have been arrested and heavily fined. Why did he risk not only his own safety, but the safety of his family as well? He made a powerful commitment.

The Rankin family and the citizens of Ripley, Ohio are credited with helping 2000 slaves escape. Before the current dams changed the depth of the Ohio River, the narrowest part of the river along Kentucky, a slave state, was across from Ripley. Runaways could cross from the South to freedom in the North. A long stairway leads from the town to the Rankin house on the hill. After crossing the river the runaways would climb the hill to the Rankin farm. A lantern being lit in a second story window would signify that it was safe for them to approach.

Runaway slaves were probably not hidden inside the house but in barns and in the woods on the Rankin property. If looking for the actual hiding places, they are not on display.

The significance of Rankin House is also seen by its influence on one of the most important writings promoting abolition. Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin made the issue of slavery more relevant to the North. She and her husband lived in Cincinnati, Ohio where John Rankin’s stories of the slaves crossing the river inspired the character of Liza in the book.

In the Cincinnati Underground Railroad Museum, there is a movie that dramatizes what life might have been like at the Rankin House. The film, following a slave’s escape along the Underground, was filmed at the Rankin House. During our visit the interpreter indicated that the Underground Railroad Museum provided more displays and information for any interested in how that system worked. The link to their site is provided below.

On display in the home are the Rankin Family Bible, their Presbyterian Hymnal and a few furnishings that are original to the family. These are labeled and can be viewed during the tour. The home is furnished with period pieces including a piano made at a company in Ripley, Ohio.

The home sits on top of a hill over the town of Ripley. From here is an awesome view of the Ohio River and its bends between the states of Ohio and Kentucky.

Also in Ripley the Parker House is open for tours. John Parker was a former slave who bought his freedom. He was a Ripley businessman and actively helped slaves escape via the Underground Railroad. While in Ripley a tour of this home should be on the agenda.

The town of Ripley has a small town feel to it. The downtown itself is somewhat old-fashioned containing restaurants, antique shops and bars making it a nice place to take a stroll and have lunch. At a memorial by the river are two memory boxes to be opened in 2012 and in 2065.

It was recently announced that the Rankin House will be renovated including an improved parking lot and new visitor’s center. This should improve the experience as people learn about the underground railroad and its history in Ripley.


Age Appropriateness –
Young Children –medium-low
School Age Children –medium-high
Teens –medium-high
Adults –medium-high
Senior Friendly – medium-high

Physical vs. Mental –
The home is a museum with an interpreter. Reading is not required so children can enjoy the tour.

Time to Allow for Visit –
A half-hour is ample time to tour the home.



Additional Information –
Gift Shop – yes
Food – no
Picnic – no
Multilingual – no

Approximate Travel Times –
Cincinnati – 1 ¼ hours
Cleveland – 4 ½ hours
Columbus – 2 ¼ hours

Handicapped Accessibility –

The two rooms upstairs are only accessible by a stairway so this would not be wheel chair accessible. The downstairs is accessible.

Helpful links:

http://ohsweb.ohiohistory.org/places/sw14/
http://www.ripleyohio.net/htm/rankin.htm
http://www.ohiohistory.org/undergroundrr/
http://www.freedomcenter.org/
http://www.johnparkerhouse.org/
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/magazine/sprsum96/undergrr/tabid/299/Default.aspx
http://www.ripleyohio.net/index.html

Zane Grey / National Road Museum

Zane Grey / National Road Museum
Norwich, Ohio

The museum, located east of Zanesville, Ohio, is really three museums in one. The National Road Museum uses a diorama to show the history of building the historic road. The Zane Grey Museum contains personal items belonging to Zane Grey during his life. The Pottery Museum shows the types of pottery that made the area famous one hundred years ago. The varied topics contained in the one site provide an eclectic combination.

President Thomas Jefferson approved construction of a National Road in 1806 to provide better access to what was the then the western United States. Construction began in 1811 in Cumberland, Maryland with construction ending in 1839 with the road terminating at Vandalia, Illinois. By 1840 the railroads were providing transportation to points west so Congress voted against funding the effort to complete the project to go further west. Today the National Road is part of US Highway 40.

The National Road Museum contains various vehicles used to travel the road that should entertain antique auto enthusiasts. If taking children, ask them if the entire family’s belongings would fit in the Conestoga wagon that is on display. Which items would they take with them on a trip to move across the country?

If there are school age children in the group, the trip can be made more fun by printing the puzzle at http://www.ohiohistoryteachers.org/03/05/se03tc.pdf. Can they find the answers to this puzzle in the National Road exhibit?

The exhibit with which I was most impressed is a diorama that details the construction of the road. It is quite detailed and very well done. Look carefully at what the figures are doing. Presented in a timeline fashion, each step in the diorama shows how life on the road and the roadwork techniques changed in the construction from Maryland to Illinois.

The second major exhibit at this site is the Zane Grey Museum. In 1872 Zane Grey was born in Zanesville which was established by his ancestor Ebenezer Zane. Although his interests were in baseball, fishing and writing, his father convinced him to get a degree in dentistry. The lure of the outdoors won out, and his life was spent taking frequent excursions which provided the information for writing his more than 90 books on adventures in the west.

The Zane Grey portion of the museum contains mementos from his life in Ohio, Pennsylvania and California. This includes a re-creation of his study including his personal items. People who enjoy his novels will learn about his life and what inspired his many novels.

The third part of the museum displays pieces of pottery from the area. In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s this area of Ohio was known for its pottery. The museum does not give a history of pottery-making, but it displays pieces with brief descriptions of the people involved.

Overall the museum is interesting, but the exhibits are a mish-mash of their various topics. Personally I enjoyed the National Road exhibits best. This is probably due to my father’s interest in transportation history providing me with a background of knowledge. From how the road was built to the various vehicles on display, anyone with an interest in transportation will enjoy this museum.


Upcoming Exhibits and Events –

• October 18, 2008

Wandering along the National Road Road Rally -- Try your skills at this car rally along the National Road and surrounding area. The road rally will test your skill at finding both natural and man-made points of interests to match the clues. Teams are encouraged and the winner will be recognized. It will be a great way to discover the area's fall season and learn more about the National Road. For reservations, call 740.872.3143 or 800.752.2602.



Age Appropriateness –
Young Children –medium-low
School Age Children –medium-high
Teens –medium
Adults –medium-high
Senior Friendly –high




Physical vs. Mental –
This is completely a museum experience with no physical limitations.











Time to Allow for Visit –
¾ hour to tour entire museum


Additional Information –
Gift Shop – yes
Food – no
Picnic – no
Multilingual – no





Approximate Travel Times –
Cincinnati – 2 ¾ hours
Cleveland – 2 ½ hours
Columbus – 1 hour

Handicapped Accessibility –

This one-story museum is completely accessible.



Volunteer Opportunities –

If interested please contact M. E. Weingartner at 1-800-752-2602.


Helpful links:

http://www.ohiohistory.org/places/natlroad/
http://www.route40.net/history/national-road.shtml
http://www.nationalroadohio.com/
http://www.ohiohistory.org/about/nrtg/
http://www.ohiohistoryteachers.org/03/05/se03tc.pdf
http://www.zanegreyinc.com/
http://www.wisconsinpottery.org/Roseville/
http://wisconsinpottery.org/Weller/weller2001show/weller2001exhibit.htm
http://www.coz.org/
http://www.zanesville.org/

Newark Earthworks

Newark Earthworks

Newark, Ohio

The Newark Earthworks are composed of three OHS sites, The Great Circle, the Octagon and the Wright mounds. Built 2000 years ago, the size and range of these mounds is impressive for a culture that probably used simple tools. The picture below shows a map of how the mounds looked before farming and urban growth destroyed most them. All that remain today are The Great Circle and Octagon in their entirety.


The pictures posted here do not show the vastness of the mounds. To think these are just a portion of what was originally a huge ceremonial area.

For the entire earthwork system there were three entry points. Although gone today, these roads which were built up on the sides with earthworks, funneled people through from three waterways. It is believed the people came by water for whatever festivals or rites in which they participated. Today it is a mystery what they believed and what they celebrated. All that is known is that these earthworks exist.

The visit to the Newark Earthworks should begin at the Great Circle, which is maintained as a city park in Newark. Inside the Visitor Center is a small museum detailing all of the Ohio mounds and their relation to each other. An interactive video was very helpful in explaining what is known of the mounds in the area. By using the computer in the back of the room, a large screen video provides details based on the areas the user chooses. The presentation can be as long or as short as is needed by clicking on the parts of interest. The interactive nature of this was a great way to get the information wanted.

The Visitor’s Center has a handout with a map of the mounds as they were built and a brief explanation. The woman working there that day was very helpful and knowledgeable about the mounds.

Straight out the Visitor Center door is the entrance to the Great Circle. This is a very wide entrance, and it was impossible to get a photograph to show the entrance because it is so large. The size is amazing, and the fact it is geometrically circular is mind-boggling. The expanse is large enough young children can run through the area and not have to worry about climbing on the mounds themselves. Within the Great Circle is another earthwork called the Eagle Mound due to its shape. It is believe this is where the shaman lived.

When the visit to the Great Circle is complete, there are two other sites to visit. We had problems finding the Wright Earthworks, supposedly a short drive from the Great Circle. What is preserved is only a small section of the square mound that was there. There is no address, and we were unable to find it based on the information on the OHS site. Before leaving Great Circle you should check with the person there to see how to find it.

The Octagon Mound is only a few miles away. In the early 1900’s the Ohio Historical Society leased the land to a private club, and today a golf course runs through the mounds. At the Moundbuilders Country Club, there are certain parking spots for mound visitors from which there is a very short walk to the observation tower allowing an overlook of the golf course/mound. A sign at the parking lot indicates if golfing is happening that day. Further access to view the mound is not allowed when golfing is permitted. There is another path on the other side of the clubhouse that gives a distant view of the Observation Mound, but access is restricted for this earthwork to the golfers.

The photos I took seem to show green parks with trees and bushes, not awe-inspiring mounds. They are inspiring to see in person even if the photos aren’t. We wondered if seeing the mounds might be better when the plants are not as much in bloom. The www.jqjacobs.net site has better pictures and maps of the Great Circle and Octagon mounds. This link is provided in the related links section below.


Upcoming Exhibits and Events –

• October 19, 2008

Octagon Earthworks Open House
Come visit Octagon Mound and learn more about the people that built this amazing structure through guided tours, lectures and hands-on activities. For more information, call 740.344.1919 or 800.600.7178. Admission: FREE


Age Appropriateness –
Young Children – medium
School Age Children – medium-high
Teens – medium
Adults – medium-high
Senior Friendly – medium-high

Physical vs. Mental –
There is no great mental or physical exertion required here. The museum at the Great Circle provides a basic background on what the mounds are. Walking the mounds is like a stroll in a city park.

Time to Allow for Visit –
½ hour for museum and interactive video
½ hour to walk the Great Circle Mound
¼ hour at Octagon if golfing is in progress. There are days to be set aside for no golfing so people can tour the mounds. A sign at the country club indicates if the earthworks are open for visitor’s to explore.


Additional Information –
Gift Shop – a small one at Great Circle
Food – no
Picnic – Picnic Tables are interspersed under the trees in the park at Great Circle.
Multilingual – No



Approximate Travel Times –
Cincinnati – 2 ½ hours
Cleveland – 2 ½ hours
Columbus – ¾ hour

Handicapped Accessibility –
The museum is completely accessible. Touring the Great Circle means walking on grass with no paved walkways. It is relatively flat but wheelchairs may have problems. The entrance to the Great Circle is easily seen from the museum/visitor center. To view the mounds from the Moundbuilders Country Club, there is climbing to the top of a wooden platform.

Volunteer Opportunities –
n/a


Helpful links:
http://ohsweb.ohiohistory.org/places/c08/
http://www.jqjacobs.net/archaeo/newark.html
http://www.jqjacobs.net/archaeo/octagon.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/28/national/28mounds.html
http://archaeology.about.com/od/mississippiancivilization/a/newark.htm

Fallen Timbers

Fallen Timbers
Toledo, Ohio

After visiting Fort Meigs, I also went to the Fallen Timbers park which is an approximately ¼ hour drive from Fort Meigs. Some of the Fallen Timbers history is provided in the museum at Fort Meigs.

This site is part of the Toldeo Metro Park system. A well maintained city park surrounds the memorial to General Wayne’s battle against the Indians August 20, 1794. There are no facilities, but the park is a popular place for cycling and roller blading.

In the campaign against the Indians, General "Mad Anthony" Wayne led the American army at the Battle of Fallen Timbers. The defeat of the Indian confederacy at this battle prompted the Indians to sign the Treaty Granville in 1795 thus opening most of the Ohio area to American settlement.

Taking place in the battle were Miami Chief Little Turtle, Shawnee Chief Blue Jacket, future chief Techumseh and the future US president William Henry Harrison as a young officer. The battle gets its name from all the toppled trees at the battlefield. A tornado had recently knocked down many trees in the woods so the fighting took place amongst the “fallen timbers.”

One mistake I made in planning my trip was to use the address given on the OHS site to put into Mapquest. This is the mailing address for the Toledo Parks office which is not located at Fallen Timbers. The directions on the web-site do not give an address, but use them rather than what I did.

Upcoming Exhibits and Events –
n/a

Age Appropriateness –
Young Children –medium-low
School Age Children –medium-low
Teens – medium-low
Adults –medium
Senior Friendly – medium


Physical vs. Mental –
There is a very short walk from the parking lot to view the monument.

Time to Allow for Visit –
¼ hour is enough time to view the monument.




Additional Information –
Gift Shop – no
Food – no
Picnic – no
Multilingual – no






Approximate Travel Times –
Cincinnati – 3 ½ hours
Cleveland – 2 hours
Columbus – 2 ¾ hours

Handicapped Accessibility –
There is no climbing that would hinder viewing the monument. It is accessible via a paved path in the park.



Helpful links:
http://ohsweb.ohiohistory.org/places/nw04/
http://www.fallentimbersbattlefield.com/