The Oberlin-Wellington Rescue Photo courtesy of Oberlin College Archives

Oberlin: A Stop On the Underground Railroad Welcome to the study of the Underground Railroad as it relates to the novel, The House of Dies Drear by Virginia Hamilton.

WHY OBERLIN? Oberlin, station number 99 on the Underground Railroad, possesses a unique history not shared by many towns its size. Located just 10 miles south of Lake Erie, it sits on what was once swamp land in the center of Lorain County. In 1832, John Jay Shipherd, along with his friend Philo P. Stewart, looked for land on which to build a religious community and an academy that would train ministers. They purchased this land and began recruiting families. The academy, which eventually became Oberlin College, is known for many firsts: the first African American student; the first female student; and, quite possibly, one of the first co-educational dormitories. Oberlin's involvement with the anti-slavery movement and the Underground Railroad was based on the community's devotion to upholding the christian principles of justice, equality and peace. Though the community did not use violence as a means of protecting slaves, it never lost a single fugitive that reached its border.

WHY THE HOUSE OF DIES DREAR? Virginia Hamilton was born and raised in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Yellow Springs was a stop along the Undergraound Railroad. It also has a college, Antioch University. The story Ms. Hamilton tells in The House of Dies Drear is based on her real life experience of local history . There are similarities between Yellow Springs history and Oberlin history.

Places to Search: Library of Congress National Park Service Ohio Historical Society National Register of Historic Places Electronic Oberlin Group Underground Railroad

Related Topics: Oberlin's Abolitionists Abolitionists Amistad Tecumseh Uncle Tom's Cabin Freedom Virginia Hamilton

Have fun with these activities. Find out the Oberlin connection.Created by B. Beal and M. Walzer.