Monday, September 27, 1999
Slaves' trail brings pilgrims to Ripley
Visitors find home of secret conductor
BY BETTY KIM
The Cincinnati Enquirer
David White of Ripley, a volunteer with the Parker society, uses a screened box to search for artifacts among material dug up around the property.
(Craig Ruttle photo)
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RIPLEY — The pile of crumbled bricks in front of freed slave John P. Parker's house reminded visitors Sunday of the rich abolitionist history along the Ohio River.
The group of 46 got a tour of the house's exterior, part of the Ohio Forum Weekend of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
“I wanted to see the history that was told to me,” said Madlyn Evans of Forest Park. “And I wanted to show my grandchildren the history in the area.”
When Mrs. Evans was growing up in Wyoming, her mother and grandmother would tell stories about the families they knew who were involved with the Underground Railroad. Now, she shares those stories with her two grandchildren, Lauren Donald of West Chester and Dorian Gray of Forest Park, both 10, and hopes that by coming to Ripley they will gain an appreciation of their past.
Mr. Parker's story “will help them see the entire story of our struggle,” she said.
Sunday's visitors viewed the completed exterior renovations, which began more than a year ago and were funded privately and by the state.
The John Parker Historical Society hopes to complete interior renovations by 2000. It will then open the museum dedicated to the Underground Railroad conductor.
Mr. Parker was born into slavery in Virginia in 1827 and bought his freedom for $1,800. A skilled iron molder, he headed to Cincinnati and eventually settled in Ripley, about 60 miles east.
There he built an iron foundry and became one of the first African-American entrepreneurs, patenting such inventions as the tobacco press.
While he operated a suc cessful business, Mr. Parker became involved in the Underground Railroad movement and helped more than 800 slaves escape by rowing them across the river from Kentucky to Ohio in his wooden boat.
He died in 1900.
Virginia McMillan of Silverton and Evelyn Dixon of Kennedy Heights were on the tour to learn more about the area before bringing students from their Rights of Passage group at the Gaines United Methodist Church in Madisonville.
“Part of our mission with the group is to provide young people with the opportunity to learn about the African-American and African experience and history,” Mrs. Dixon said. “And (Ripley) is a part of it.”
It also gives young people a chance to learn about what happened to Africans after they came to America, Mrs. McMillan said.
“(Students) never learn about the Parkers (and other abolitionists) in school or on television,” she said. “This education ensures that another generation who doesn't know about them won't pass.”
The two youth leaders plan to bring their 20 students, ages 6-14, to the house in the next few weeks.
“To come here ... is to celebrate the adventures and dangers of the Underground Railroad,” said Betty Campbell, president of the John Parker Historical Society.
Volunteers were also on hand to sift through mounds of rock in hopes of finding an artifact to trace back to Mr. Parker's life.
The foundry, which used to be next to the house, is a potential wealth of artifacts, said Bruce Goetzman, the architect in charge of renovation for the Parker house.
“It's interesting to take part in local history,” said Teresa Webb of Ripley, who came with her husband and three children to help in the archaeological dig.
“People are rediscovering history here,” Mr. Goetzman said. “The story of the Underground Railroad is grounded in Ripley.”
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