Politicians and pioneers honor historic home

Oberlin pays tribute to Evans brother's legacy

Thanks to the efforts of abolitionists like Wilson Bruce and Sarah Evans, Oberlin stood as a leader in the fight against slavery. Thanks to Mother Nature, Oberlin had a beautiful day to celebrate their accomplishments.

Oberlin celebrated the designation of the Evans home as a national historic landmark Tuesday with a program featuring Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt, Congressman Sherrod Brown, College President Nancy Dye and dozens of third-graders.

"I think it was a big success," said Pat Murphy, executive director of the Oberlin Historical and Improvement Organization (OHIO).

OHIO was instrumental in lobbying for landmark status for the home, the highest designation a historic home can receive. The house was first listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. OHIO later researched the home extensively and applied for the landmark designation.

The ceremony was planned for Lorain County Pride Day in May. And then, Babbitt entered the picture.

"The National Park Service said he'd be willing to participate if we'd consider rescheduling," Murphy said.

OHIO accepted the offer. With the help of the College, the town and dozens of volunteers, Oberlin celebrated earlier than planned.

More than two hundred people filled Vine Street to listen to the brief tributes offered to Oberlin's history and gaze at the Evans house, which served as the backdrop for the ceremony. The lawn of the Evans house was crowded with Oberlin third graders in pioneer garb. The students rose to sing "Follow the Drinking Gourd."

Although Dye eschewed the bonnet, she took the stage in a black cloak that would make any Oberlin Congregationalist proud. Dye spoke about the legacy of the travelers on the Underground Railroad.

"Their tracks are vanished, but not the memory of their journeys," Dye said. "The Underground Railroad project is a significant step in raising our country's consciousness. Our coming together this morning demonstrates the synergy people of different races coming together can create."

Brown echoed Dye's remarks.

"Oberlin, Ohio stands above any other place in Northeast Ohio in fighting against sexism and racism," Brown said. "The courage shown by the rescuers really represents the racial progress we need to make in this country."

Babbitt also spoke admiringly of Oberlin's noble past. He said all cabinet members were allowed to choose a destination for the Campus Week of Dialogue sponsored by President Clinton's Initiative on Race.

"I want to tell you, I got first choice," Babbitt said. "There wasn't any question about where it would be. It was Oberlin. It had to be Oberlin."

The ceremony lasted just under an hour. Although the Evans home was not opened to visitors, OHIO hosted events at Oberlin historic sites throughout the day.

Testing, one, two, three: Babbitt prepares to speak during the ceremony designating the new national historic landmark. (photo by Heidi Good)