Proposed Project
This proposal outlines our plan to expand this committee work to include Underground Railroad sites across the state of Ohio and to ultimately create an Ohio Freedom Trails Driving App. Currently, information about Underground Railroad sites in Ohio is available on many separate webpages. The Ohio Freedom Trail App will provide users with a cohesive, credible resource that it user friendly, educational, and endorsed by the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, National Parks Service, Ohio History Connection, and Ohio’s Department of Tourism (ohio.org).
The purpose of the Ohio Freedom Trails App is to link key Underground Railroad sites located across the state of Ohio and make the history, significance, and stories of each site accessible on a user-friendly platform. Through this online app, users will be able to plan their self-guided journey across the state of Ohio, making stops at locations to learn the history of the Underground Railroad. Deliverables would include a free app compatible with Apple and Android, complete with an audio guide. In addition to audio, the app will offer imbedded images and text providing supplemental stories and interesting facts. Using GPS, the app will provide users with routes and estimated driving times. The app will promote users to visit Underground Railroad sites and institutions in each community by providing links to available webpages. The app will be available for free, content will be available in multiple languages, and recommended for ages 10 and up.
Key Dates:
7-11-2023 – final day for submitting questions
7-24-2023 5 pm EST – submissions due
7-28-2023 – finalists notified on or before
8-4-2023 – final day of demo and presentations (if required)
8-11-2023 – selection notification on or before
Please click here to download, review and complete the following document.