By Randy McNutt
The Cincinnati Enquirer

WALNUT HILLS - The Ohio Bicentennial Commission will recognize the Lane Seminary, an important school in the anti-slavery movement, when a bicentennial historical marker will be dedicated at 3 p.m. today in a public ceremony at 2820 Gilbert Ave.

"Lane was an institution that served not only this area but the entire nation," said Charles B. Nuckolls, a member of the Bicentennial Council on the Underground Railroad and the Ohio Historical Society's board of trustees.

The marker will be at Thomson MacConnell Cadillac, site of the former seminary. In 1834, students debated the slavery issue here during an 18-night revival. The debates converted most of the students to the cause of abolition.

As the marker reads: "The Lane Seminary debates marked the shift in American antislavery efforts from colonization to abolition, and the 'Lane Rebels' became ministers, abolitionists and social reformers across the country."

Lane opened in suburban Walnut Hills in 1829. Its first president was the Rev. Lyman Beecher of Boston. His home, called the Stowe House after his daughter, Harriet Beecher Stowe, still stands at Gilbert and Foraker avenues. Stowe wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin.

Lane continued to educate Presbyterian ministers until 1932, when it merged with McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago.

Historical markers on way

RIPLEY - The Chattanooga Star will deliver Ohio River Heritage historical markers during a 14-day journey connecting 12 Ohio River communities to Tall Stacks.

The journey will start Oct. 1 in East Liverpool in Columbiana County, continue to other towns on the Ohio and end on Front Street in Ripley in Brown County on Oct. 13.

Other markers include Ohio River Lock and Dam 10 Site, Steubenville, Jefferson County; Powhattan Point, Belmont County; Fly Landing, Fly, Monroe County; Pomeroy, Meigs County; and Portsmouth, Scioto County.

Time permitting, the riverboat will offer sighting cruises for $12 per person.

Tickets will be available from the host towns.

Information: (877) 850-2003 or visit www.tallstacks.com.

Water Works commemorated

DOWNTOWN - An Ohio bicentennial historical marker will be dedicated 10 a.m. Monday to recognize the Greater Cincinnati Water Works as the oldest publicly owned utility in Ohio.

It will be held at Sawyer Point Riverfront Park, behind the Schott Amphitheater.

Guest speakers will include David E. Rager, director of the Water Works and David Simmons, associate editor of Timeline magazine for the Ohio Historical Society.

Information: 591-7972.

Ohio Company on TV

COLUMBUS - Opening the Door West: The Ohio Company of Associates will be broadcast in October and November on public television stations, including WPTD/WPTO in Dayton/Oxford and WCET in Cincinnati.

The documentary tells the story of the 48 men of the Ohio Company who established a permanent settlement in Marietta.

WCET will air the show (digital only) at 8 p.m. Oct. 16 and at 3 p.m. Nov. 16.

The Dayton/Oxford stations will air the show at 4 p.m. Nov. 23.

Oxford park opens

OXFORD - The grand opening of Oxford Community Park will be held Oct. 4-5 as a bicentennial event.

The 113-acre complex will include baseball and soccer fields, as well as a concession stand and shelter, a small playground, multi-use paths, basketball and shuffleboard courts, horseshoe pits and a gazebo.

The Ohio Historical Society's team, The Muffins, will play a historical re-enactment of a baseball game of the 1800s.

The park is at 6801 Fairfield Road.

Bicentennial Notebook runs periodically. Contact Randy McNutt at The Enquirer, 7700 Service Center Drive, West Chester OH 45069. Telephone: 755-4158. Fax: 755-4150. E-mail: Rmcnutt@enquirer.com.