Underground Railroad Trail expands

SANDUSKY — Ohio's Historical Underground Railroad Trail, which highlights historic attractions across the state, has added 15 new stops. The trail now has 40 stops, up from the original 25 when the trail was announced last year. Those 15 new stops include two locally: one in Sandusky and the other in Bellevue. Underground Railroad is the term historians use for the clandestine network that helped slaves escape from the South to get to free states and then go on to Canada. "The path of the Underground Railroad through Ohio was pivotal in leading many enslaved African Americans toward freedom, and we must ensure that this history continues to be passed down to future generations," Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said. "By nearly doubling the number of must-see historic sites along Ohio's Underground Railroad Trail, we hope more residents and visitors will explore the parts of the state where this history was made." The local stops on the Underground Railroad Trail are: • The Follett House Museum in Sandusky, a museum run by Sandusky Library that preserves an old mansion. It is located at 404 W. Adams St. and is open 1-4 p.m. Saturday or contact the library to arrange a group tour. • The Path to Freedom sculpture in Facer Park, 301 E. Water St. in downtown Sandusky. • The Underground Railroad Historic Walking Tour in Sandusky, provided by the Erie County Historical Society. To access the walking tour (and other local walking tours, and a guide to local historical markers), please visit the society's website at eriecountyohiohistory.org/. • The Historic Lyme Village in Bellevue features The Seymour House, which was historically occupied by abolitionists who helped escaped slaves. The Path to Freedom and Historical Lyme Village are new additions to the Underground Railroad Trail, while the other two Sandusky attractions were on the trail when it debuted last year, said Mason Waldvogel, a spokesman for the Ohio Department of Development. History buffs who want to explore the trail can go to ohio.org/ugrrtrail. That link also has a link to download a map of the trail. An Ohio Air & Space Trail, which includes the Liberty Aviation Museum near Port Clinton and other northern Ohio stops, is available at america250-ohio.org/trails-and-tales/.