Old trees often marked the way for fleeing slaves. Travelers along the Underground Railroad kept their headings north by following the moss growing on them.

        The path from the slave state ofKentucky to Ohio's abolitionist riverbanks will now be marked again by trees — 4 million newly planted ones commemorating those seeking freedom.

Paul Hemmer wants to plant 4 million trees. (Patrick Reddy photo)

        The first Freedom Tree, a sapling of a native hardwood, will be delivered Monday at the groundbreaking ceremony for the national museum. The Freedom Trees Project is sponsored by the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Sand Run Nurseries and the Paul Hemmer Co.

        “The goal is to plant 4 million trees. Research indicates that at the time of the Civil War, there were 4 million slaves. I want to plant one tree to commemorate the life of each slave,” said Paul Hemmer Jr., one of the project's sponsors.

        Radiating from the Cincinnati site of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Freedom Groves will be built in urban and rural areas defined as historic routes of the Underground Railroad.

        Each grove will consist of 400 Freedom Trees and a symbolic flame sculpture representing the light of freedom's promise.

        A memorial marker will be placed within each grove acknowledging its significance and dedication to the slaves and freedom fighters.

INFOGRAPHIC

• Freedom Trees Project marks Underground Railroad

        Sand Run is offering Freedom Tree sponsorships to individuals, groups and corporations for $75 each. The proceeds from each tree, $25, will be donated to the Endowment Fund of the National Underground Railroad.

        Mr. Hemmer, president of Paul Hemmer Co. of Fort Mitchell and owner of Sand Run, has committed to deliver a full Freedom Grove, 400 native hardwood saplings, in time for the Freedom Center's groundbreaking ceremony Monday.

        “In January 2001, I presented the Freedom Tree idea to the board of trustees at the Freedom Center and received unanimous support,” said Mr. Hemmer, who is a member of the board.

        “Mary and Paul Hemmer Jr.'s Freedom Tree project is an example of leadership rooted in the mission of the Underground Railroad,” said Edwin J. Rigaud, president and chief executive officer of the National Underground Railroad.

        “Their example is an inspiration to all who have a commitment to the high ideals of freedom.”

        Trees not only pointed the way to freedom but also served as sanctuaries for slaves.

        In the 1860s, slaves would sneak off to “hush harbors,” often groves of trees, to worship and sing songs about their tribulations.

        If they were caught, they would be whipped, sold or even killed.

        According to Nikki Giovanni, famed poet and a professor at Virginia Tech who teaches about the hush harbors in her classes, the slaves disobeyed anyway when the spirit moved them.

        Kathy Groob, vice president of Hemmer corporate marketing, said about 125 trees had been sold as of Friday.

        “He's a little short of the goal of 400, but I think he's going to donate them himself for the first grove,” she said of Mr. Hemmer.

        Trees will not be planted in a grove until the entire 400 for that grove are sold.

        “Four hundred makes an impressive-looking grove,” Ms. Groob said.

        “It's more economical to plant several trees at once than to plant one at a time,” Ms. Groob said.

        She is not discouraged by the small number of trees sold.

        “We've just begun to spread the word about the Freedom Trees project,” she said.

        The $110 million National Underground Railroad Freedom Center will open in mid-2004 on the riverfront in Cincinnati, one of the most traveled pathways of the Underground Railroad.

        It will recount the story of freedom from slavery through exhibitions, programs and the World Wide Web, as well as outreach at freedom stations in 60 cities in North America.

        The groundbreaking ceremony will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. Monday at the foot of the Suspension Bridge in Cincinnati. First lady Laura Bush will be the keynote speaker.

        “Mrs. Bush has a vision for learning in America,” said Spencer Crew, Freedom Center executive director and CEO.

        “As an educational institution, the Freedom Center joins her quest by using the lessons of American history to transform lives inside and outside the classroom,” he said.

        Muhammad Ali, three-time world heavyweight boxing champion, will light the flame of freedom at the groundbreaking.

        “One of the main goals of the Freedom Center is to use the values of courage, cooperation, perseverance and freedom that define the saga of the Underground Railroad to inspire visitors with the renewed commitment of citizenship and civic engagement,” said Mr. Rigaud.

        “I can't think of an individual who personifies all of these qualities more than Muhammad Ali. Needless to say, we are thrilled and honored to have him join us in "Lighting Freedom's Flame.'”

        Also expected to attend the ceremony are Gov. Bob Taft; Jack Kemp, former congressman and housing and urban development secretary; Wally “Famous” Amos, former owner of Famous Amos Cookies; Sens. Mike DeWine and George Voinovich of Ohio; Oscar Robertson, former basketball star; and Heather French Henry, former Miss America and wife of Steve Henry, lieutenant governor of Kentucky.

        For more information about the Freedom Trees Project, call (866) 341-8300, or visit www.freedomtrees.com.

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