The National Park Service has expanded its National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program by adding 14 new listings, recognizing sites of historic resistance to enslavement across the United States. These new additions bring the network’s total to over 800 locations and programs with verified connections to the Underground Railroad, highlighting the courageous journeys of freedom seekers who traveled by foot, rail, and sea to escape oppression.
“These new listings, including the first in the Pacific Northwest, illustrate coast-to-coast efforts of freedom seekers and their allies to secure self-determination, liberty, and justice for themselves and others,” said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. “Their brave and tenacious pursuit of freedom from oppression reflects the foundation upon which our nation was built and serves as a reminder that our country’s journey to form a more perfect union is ongoing.”
Established by Congress in 1998, the Network to Freedom program acknowledges the diverse experiences of enslaved individuals who risked their lives for freedom, as well as the efforts of those who aided them. The program now features listings across 41 states, Washington, D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada.
Among the newly recognized sites is the John T. Wilson Homestead in Tranquility, Adams County, Ohio. The homestead, which belonged to Congressman John T. Wilson, played a significant role in the Underground Railroad, serving as a station in a well-documented corridor of activity. Known as a “Conductor of Hope,” Wilson provided refuge and assistance to freedom seekers as they made their way north toward safety.
The recognition of Wilson’s homestead as part of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom not only commemorates his contributions but also underscores the pivotal role Adams County played in the broader resistance movement. The site joins other locations within the network that collectively tell the story of the struggle for freedom and the allies who risked everything to help others escape the bonds of slavery.
With these new listings, the National Park Service continues to shine a light on the legacy of the Underground Railroad, ensuring that the stories of resilience, courage, and the pursuit of justice are preserved and shared with future generations.
