Underground Railroad Museum
The Underground Railroad Museum just got a big boost! Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s Appalachian Community Grant Program has given them $3.9 million. This program is all about investing money, $154 million in total, to help improve Appalachian downtowns and places people visit.
The Underground Railroad Museum, which is now at 121 E High St. in Flushing, will soon move to the Black Horse Inn in Morristown. This old inn, built in 1807, is one of the few left from the time when people traveled along the Old National Road. It’s thought that this inn was also a stop on the Underground Railroad, helping enslaved people escape to freedom.
Part of the grant will be used to fully renovate the old inn, which has been empty for many years, to prepare it for becoming the museum’s new permanent home.
“Museum Director Kristina Estle emphasized the necessity of completing renovations, which are estimated to require approximately one million dollars, before proceeding with any other plans.”
The Underground Railroad museum is open Thursdays through Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m. until they move. You can visit for free, but since they rely on donations, they suggest giving $10 to $20.
The project will cost over $2 million for building, over $300,000 for design work, $438,000 for site preparation, and $1 million for equipment. It needs to be finished by 2026 because it’s funded by the Appalachian Community Grant.
Jackee Pugh, who runs the Belmont County Tourism Council, shared with the Belmont County Commissioners an idea she had after DeWine announced the Appalachian Community Grant Program.
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“Pugh said everyone agreed immediately. I spoke with my board of directors, the Underground Railroad Museum, and the Morristown Historic Preservation Association, and they all got really excited about it.”
The Underground Railroad Museum, the Belmont County Tourism Council, and the Morristown Historic Preservation Association are teaming up for a project. The Morristown Historic Preservation owns the Black Horse Inn but has struggled to get money before. Luckily, the Appalachian Community Grant Program agreed to fund the project they asked for.
“We’re a nonprofit organization, much like the Underground Railroad Museum. This partnership is exactly what the Governor wanted to see,” explained Pamela McCort, Vice President of the Morristown Historic Preservation Association.
Artifacts from the Underground Railroad will be moved to the Black Horse Inn after it gets fixed up. The ground floor of the inn will be the Underground Railroad Museum. The second floor might be turned into an Airbnb. The basement will have places to eat.
“During all of this, everyone we’ve spoken to has been really helpful and enthusiastic. They see how much of an opportunity this could be for Belmont County.”
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