Midwest Underground Railroad Network Earns National Recognition

The Midwest Underground Railroad Network began as the Little Calumet River Underground Railroad Project. Over time, its focus expanded to include the entire pre-Civil War history of the Calumet region. It recently gained national prestige.

Last week, officials from the Midwest Underground Railroad Network announced that their South Holland-based nonprofit was acknowledged as part of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom by the National Park Service. This announcement coincided with International Underground Railroad Month—a time dedicated to commemorating the history and communities from this pivotal era.

“This recognition is not just an achievement for our organization. It serves as an opportunity to deepen our commitment to preserving history, educating our communities, and honoring those who pursued freedom and those who courageously facilitated that freedom,” expressed Rodney Harrington, the organization’s president.

According to Tom Shepherd, secretary of the Midwest Underground Railroad Network, many freedom seekers traveled through Chicago’s Southland and the Illinois Central Railroad. Shepherd highlighted the significance of the national recognition, noting it increases visibility and lists the organization alongside historically important sites in 40 states, Washington D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada, according to the National Park Service. This list includes places like the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Washington, D.C.

Shepherd explained that the South Holland area was situated along a route used by freedom seekers escaping slavery, aiming to reach Chicago and northern states where slavery was not legally allowed.

The organization’s ongoing regional efforts span Chicago, South Holland, northwest Indiana, and surrounding communities. These efforts are now connected to a broad national endeavor to preserve, interpret, and share the history of the Underground Railroad.

To advance this goal, the Midwest Underground Railroad Network is teaming up with South Suburban College’s Service Learning Club for a festival on October 21. This event aims to highlight the history of the Underground Railroad and honor the freedom seekers.

Jennifer Medlen, the service learning coordinator at South Suburban College, stated that one of the event’s main goals is for community members to engage with their local history and learn more about the Underground Railroad.

“We want to expose our students and anyone from the community that attends to this history they may not be aware of. People have heard of the Underground Railroad, but they might not realize the connections here,” Medlen noted.

Medlen further explained that students can recognize and interact with the region’s history in meaningful ways, including contributing artwork and poetry related to the themes.

The free event runs from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the atrium and MB Financial Room at South Suburban College, 15800 State St., South Holland. It includes poetry readings, art exhibits, and musical performances, with participation from students and historians.

The event opens with a meet-and-greet, followed by poetry readings, art exhibits, and an introduction by Larry McClellan, the organization’s founder. It will include spiritual renditions by Lana Lewis and presentations by Stephen Marc, Glennette Tilly Turner, and others.

For more information, contact Jennifer Medlen at [email protected].