A vital piece of Adams County’s history has received national recognition. The Governor Thomas Kirker Family Homestead, located near West Union, has been officially listed in the National Park Service’s Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program, affirming its historical role in the fight for freedom during one of America’s darkest chapters.
The Kirker Homestead, home to Ohio’s second governor and his wife Sarah, along with their 13 children, served as a safe haven for those fleeing slavery in the 1800s. The designation follows an intensive research and documentation effort supported by the Appalachian Freedom Heritage Tourism Initiative, a regional project funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission’s POWER Grant.
The initiative spans nine counties across Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia and aims to preserve and promote historically significant Underground Railroad sites throughout the region. The inclusion of the Kirker Homestead brings new attention to Adams County’s rich abolitionist history and adds to a growing list of recognized sites in the area, including the John T. Wilson Homestead and the Wickerham Inn.
Tom Kirker, a sixth-generation descendant of Governor Kirker and current steward of the homestead, expressed his family’s pride in the recognition.
“It is with great pride that our family home has been included in the Network to Freedom,” said Kirker. “The Kirker Homestead continues to offer a valuable glimpse into Adams County’s rich history.”
Historians and project leaders say the designation helps tell a fuller story of Ohio’s role in the Underground Railroad.
“It has been an incredible experience to help uncover the untold story of the Kirker family’s contribution,” said Megan McCarty, Adams County Outreach Specialist with the initiative. “Their selfless role in aiding freedom seekers highlights the important part Adams County played in this historic movement.”
Dr. Andrew Feight, Director of Research and Outreach for the Appalachian Freedom Heritage Initiative, noted that such recognitions help illuminate powerful stories that had long been overlooked.
“Our work is uncovering stories that will not only change how we understand our past, but also draw visitors and scholars to the region,” Feight said.
While Adams County has long been known for its scenic beauty and rural heritage, this recognition places it more firmly on the map for heritage tourism, particularly for those seeking to better understand the Underground Railroad and the people who risked everything to support it.
The National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program was established by Congress in 1998 and now includes more than 800 verified sites, programs, and facilities across the U.S. and Canada. Adams County’s growing list of recognized locations affirms its lasting legacy in the fight for justice and human dignity.
