NEWS

Oberlin-Wellington rescue re-enactment to relive history

OHIO volunteers to present vignettes of past

by Melody R. Waller

Dozens of costumed re-enactors will march out of the pages of history and onto the streets of Oberlin this summer.

The Oberlin Historical and Improvement Organization (OHIO) is sponsoring a core group of volunteers that have been researching the Wellington 1854 rescue and wanted to present a living history from more than a literary and academic perspective.

The group is working to present not only character sketches, but information about several historic sites in the Oberlin-Wellington area, as well.

According to Executive Director of OHIO Pat Murphy, this project has been in the works for several month.

The project will focus on the 1850s. The presentations will include vignettes from specific characters who will wear period dress.

"There have been several training sessions for the volunteers. We have volunteers from the community and from College faculty, but would like to have more College students," Murphy said.

Both community resident Karen Moser, an actress, and Theater and Dance Chair Jane Armitage are assisting with the project.

This summer the group will reenact the story about the Oberlin-Wellington slave rescue, when slave catchers, accompanied by a U.S. deputy marshal, arrived in Oberlin to capture fugitive slave John Price.

When Oberlin residents learned of the plan, almost 40 community members from all over town sped to Wellington and rescued Price from his captors.

Thirty-seven of the rescuers were indicted for their roles in the rescue, 20 spent time in jail awaiting trial and two were tried and convicted.

"The group has already presented their findings for the Cub Scouts and at the Family Fun Fair," said Murphy.

In September, the ever-changing group will present vignettes at public events and festivals and are planning to continue their research and expand the program.

"We're definitely excited about the program. Our volunteers seem to be excited too," said Murphy. "The program has lots of potential to build over time."

OHIO was formed in 1964 as a merger of the Oberlin Historical Society and the Oberlin Village Improvement Society.

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Copyright © 1998, The Oberlin Review.
Volume 126, Number 22, April 24, 1998

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