Underground Railroad museum planned

Historic building may become Underground Railroad museum

Ohio Congressman Sherrod Brown (D-Lorain) recently testified before a House appropriations subcommittee to advocate the allocation of funds for the restoration of an Oberlin historical building site.

The city plans to convert the historic site into an Underground Railroad museum honoring Oberlin's involvement with the Underground Railroad and the anti-slavery movement of the 1800s.

One of only 15 such buildings in the country and the only one found west of the Appalachians, the Gasholder Building was put on the National Register of Historic Places last fall through the efforts of the Oberlin Historic and Improvement Organization. Located between Missler's and McDonald's on South Pleasant Street, the tiny cone-roofed building intrigues visitors with its unique architecture and unmistakable antiquity.

According to 13th Congressional District Director Elizabeth Thames, Brown "is very aware of the important role Oberlin played in efforts to end slavery." The conversion of the building into a museum will serve to both educate the public about the Underground Railroad, as well as extend recognition of Oberlin's historic buildings and business area.

Efforts by Oberlin College and community members saved the building from destruction when the Missler's shopping center was built. In April, 1996, however, a windstorm blew off a third of the slate tiles on the roof and, in an attempt to save the site, the Clark family was asked to donate the property and some surrounding land. Last fall, Arthur "Kenny" Clark generously agreed to the proposed terms and the city immediately hired a preservation architect to appraise the condition and value of the building.

Oberlin City Manager, Robert DiSpirito sees "the Roundhouse," as it is popularly known, as an ideal spot for this kind of museum. Built in 1889, the Gasholder Building served as a storage site for coal gas, used to fuel cooking stoves and street lamps. The building itself is rather small, only 25,000 ft. However, DiSpirito believes the site will sufficiently house the museum's educational material, possibly including films and period actors provided by O.H.I.O.

Though DiSpirito says the project is "in concept phase right now," efforts to request federal and state funding are underway. "We will consider every type of funding available," DiSpirito comments, though it is possible the project will receive its entire support from federal and state funds.

In addition to Congressman Brown's solicitation, Director of Oberlin College Archives Roland Baumann, applied for a $40,000 grant this week for the creation of a 70 page catalogue of documents relating to the Underground Railroad. As Oberlin Archives houses one of the best collections of primary source documents concerning the Railroad, the catalogue will complement the museum nicely. According to Baumann, the museum "will involve the town and gown, young and old, white and black citizens."

DiSpirito also indicates that the museum's location along the North Coast Inland Trail System, the bike path that spans seventeen miles from Kipton to Elyria, will serve as "a jumping off place" for the estimated 200,000 people that travel the path yearly. The area surrounding the building will be developed into a "Park and Ride" area for bikers and signs will be posted directing visitors to Oberlin's downtown area and other historic sites.

According to Ken Sloane, Conservatory Director of Piano Technology, the Park and Ride aspect will be "critical to the revitalization effort." An avid biker and supporter of the project, Sloane feels that the museum will be a meaningful element in sustaining Oberlin's downtown businesses. "It will be a real economic boom to the city," Sloane comments.

The city encourages the Oberlin community to get involved in the project. A "casting call" meeting will be held in the next few weeks to allow community members and Oberlin faculty and students to discuss ideas for what the museum should look like as well as what educational materials should be implemented.

Construction of the museum will begin as early as the year 2001.