William Parrish to Discuss “An Underground Community” at National Underground Railroad Freedom Center July 22
MEDIA CONTACT:
Will Jones
(513) 333-7558
(513) 288-4834
wjones@nurfc.org
Jamie Glavic
(513) 333-7511
(513) 802-7355
jglavic@nurfc.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CINCINNATI, OH (July 21, 2017) – Author William (Bill) Parrish will speak at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center about his book, An Underground Community: How Blacks Settled in the Historic Village of Glendale on Saturday, July 22, from 1– 3:00 p.m. This engagement is the first of three programs with Parrish at the museum.
Parrish is the Founder and Executive Director of the Eckstein Cultural Arts Center, a 501c3 nonprofit arts organization, and pastor of West Cincinnati Presbyterian Church. What began as a research project to save the historically black Eckstein School building in the historic village of Glendale, Ohio turned in to writing of his book and an exhibit by the same name.
An Underground Community: How Blacks Settled in the Historic Village of Glendale tells the story of how blacks settled in Glendale, Ohio after travelling the Underground Railroad. A number of educators, politicians, community leaders and Underground Railroad conductors were involved in the settlement, including John Van Zandt, Reverend Wallace Shelton, Bishop Benjamin W. Arnett, and Eleanor and Fredrick Eckstein. Eleanor Eckstein became so significant to the movement that Eckstein School, a school for black children, was named after her.
“We are excited to have Bill share his research and information he uncovered about the Underground Railroad and it’s ties to the Glendale community,” says Tara Riley, Manager of Education at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. “By preserving the rich history of Eckstein School, our city can better understand and appreciate the role we played in helping slaves escape to freedom.”
In addition to Parrish’s lecture on July 22, the public will have the opportunity to hear his presentation again on July 29 and August 12, 2017.
An Underground Community: How Blacks Settled in the Historic Village of Glendale with William Parrish at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is Saturday, July 22 at 1:00 p.m. The lecture is free and open to the public with general admission. For more information about upcoming programs and exhibits, visit freedomcenter.org.
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ABOUT THE NATIONAL UNDERGROUND RAILROAD FREEDOM CENTER
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center opened in August 2004 on the banks of the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. Since then, more than 1.3 million people have visited its permanent and changing exhibits and public programs, inspiring everyone to take courageous steps for freedom. Two million people have utilized educational resources online at freedomcenter.org, working to connect the lessons of the Underground Railroad to inform and inspire today’s global and local fight for freedom. Partnerships include Historians Against Slavery, Polaris Project, Free the Slaves, US Department of State and International Justice Mission. In 2014, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center launched a new online resource in the fight against modern slavery, endslaverynow.org.
