Evans home has rich history

Oberlin was honored with a recent addition to its already significant history Tuesday with the dedication of the Wilson Bruce Evans House as a National Historic Landmark.

According to the Ohio Historical Improvement Association, the house, located at 33 E. Vine St., was built by the Evans brothers between 1854 and 1856. Evans and his wife, Sarah Jane Leary, migrated to Oberlin in 1854 to live in the house with their children.

Evans, who was free-born, worked three jobs as a carpenter, cabinet-maker and village undertaker. His home served as a central gathering place for the African American community in Oberlin.

Most of the information about the Evans house was passed down from Evans' descendants, who kept the family's tradition alive through oral history. The history was also preserved by Evans' daughter, Oberlin historian Dorothy Inborden Miller.

Miller wanted to make sure that not only was her family's history documented through books but also through stories and experiences that she knew first hand.

Evans served in the 178th Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the last year of the Civil War. He and his wife lived in the Vine Street home until 1898.

Several of Evans' descendants were present for the house's dedication and commented on how important this history is to the preservation of their family.

The house today is in almost the same state as when it was first built. In 1980, the house was placed on the National Register.

"Oberlin's role in the commitment of the Civil War and the historic places of the Underground Railroad are among the most frequently researched topics," College archivist Roland Baumann said.

Both the Evans and Leary families were instrumental in trying to eradicate slavery. The Evans brothers were jailed for violating the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act by their participation in the Wellington Rescue of 13-year-old fugitive slave John Price.

After Evans and his brother were released from jail, Evans said at an Oberlin community celebration, "I feel that we have discharged our duty; we have finished the work given us to do. The telegraph wires have flashed our victory across the country," according to the Ohio Historic Improvement Association.