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Newsletter Item [ back ]
Date: 2006-09-28 14:01:24
P.U.R.E. CENTER – HISTORY’S WITNESS
Throughout our history, American’s have often been divided over differing opinions on an issue, but the division over the issue of slavery remains one of the more heinous examples of our country at war with themselves. Ohio, as a state, was anti-slavery, but that didn’t stop the debate raging in Muskingum County, with Zanesville pro-slavery on one side of the river and Putnam anti-slavery on the other side.
New Englander’s in Putnam organized the Muskingum County Abolition Society before the Civil War. Woodlawn Avenue in Putnam is home of the George Guthrie House, a documented stop on the Underground Railroad, the S.H. Guthrie House, home of abolitionist Stephan Guthrie, and the Presbyterian Church where Reverend William Beecher, brother of Harriet Beecher Stowe, preached anti-slavery sermons, and Frederick Douglas delivered speeches on the same. A Street steeped in important history on the verge of being forgotten until a group of concerned citizens and businesses led by Pauline Peterson and Kathy Brantley spearheaded the Putnam Underground Railroad Education (PURE) Center. According to Monica Jones, current co-president of the PURE Center Board of Directors, the people around this area, and even living on the street, didn’t know the significance of Woodlawn Avenue and its place in history. “The history of this period wasn’t being told, or was one sided. It’s important to know the whole story.” She said.
The PURE Center is located at 522 Woodlawn Avenue, a house built around 1838. While there is no documented evidence that this house was a station on the Underground Railroad, it is directly across the street from the Guthrie Houses, and diagonal from the Presbyterian Church. The house had been subdivided into four apartments, vacated and left in disrepair when the group acquired it, but has been completely restored under the watchful eye of Ray Thomas, and is now open to the public.
William James, an American Philosopher and psychologist, once said “Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune.” Activities and programming from the PURE Center illustrate this philosophy. Organizers are striving to present a clear and documented accounting of the period, highlighting the key players both Caucasian and African American who made the Underground Railroad work. More importantly, the PURE Center is empowering school children, visitors and local residents with accurate information on their ancestors and beginnings.
The center is easy to find on Woodlawn Avenue, in addition to the elegant sign, the property boasts a traditional wrought iron fence and is bound on one side with a timeline mounted on posts. Tours begin in the parlor of the PURE Center, furnished and decorated true to the period of the house, followed by the dining room packed with artifacts, both African and American. Weapons from the civil war share space with an actual ankle shackle and calendars from a local business operating at the turn of the century. An amazing surprise waits in the kitchen of the Center; during remodeling an original beehive oven was uncovered. The PURE Center is not just a museum, there are things to touch, turn and examine downstairs plus a fully appointed media room upstairs and a wonderful library stocked with books on the period. Computers are available to the students and people taking advantage of this well appointed space.
As part of their outreach program, the PURE Center with Ohio University, the Muskingum County Community Foundation and the Ohio Humanities Council filmed the movie “Passages to Freedom” an historic reenactment of the Underground Railroad in Southeastern Ohio. It takes place in 1852 shortly before the outbreak of the Civil War during the period of the Fugitive Slave Law. The film not only brings to life this area’s proud heritage regarding the Underground Railroad, but also features local community members. “Passages to Freedom” won a Film Advisory Board Award of Excellence and is available for viewing as well as purchase at the PURE Center.
The PURE Center is open from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. Admission is just $3.00 for adults, $2.00 for Senior Citizens and $1.00 for students and children. It is located at 522 Woodlawn Avenue in Zanesville. For additional information call 740-450-3100.
New Englander’s in Putnam organized the Muskingum County Abolition Society before the Civil War. Woodlawn Avenue in Putnam is home of the George Guthrie House, a documented stop on the Underground Railroad, the S.H. Guthrie House, home of abolitionist Stephan Guthrie, and the Presbyterian Church where Reverend William Beecher, brother of Harriet Beecher Stowe, preached anti-slavery sermons, and Frederick Douglas delivered speeches on the same. A Street steeped in important history on the verge of being forgotten until a group of concerned citizens and businesses led by Pauline Peterson and Kathy Brantley spearheaded the Putnam Underground Railroad Education (PURE) Center. According to Monica Jones, current co-president of the PURE Center Board of Directors, the people around this area, and even living on the street, didn’t know the significance of Woodlawn Avenue and its place in history. “The history of this period wasn’t being told, or was one sided. It’s important to know the whole story.” She said.
The PURE Center is located at 522 Woodlawn Avenue, a house built around 1838. While there is no documented evidence that this house was a station on the Underground Railroad, it is directly across the street from the Guthrie Houses, and diagonal from the Presbyterian Church. The house had been subdivided into four apartments, vacated and left in disrepair when the group acquired it, but has been completely restored under the watchful eye of Ray Thomas, and is now open to the public.
William James, an American Philosopher and psychologist, once said “Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune.” Activities and programming from the PURE Center illustrate this philosophy. Organizers are striving to present a clear and documented accounting of the period, highlighting the key players both Caucasian and African American who made the Underground Railroad work. More importantly, the PURE Center is empowering school children, visitors and local residents with accurate information on their ancestors and beginnings.
The center is easy to find on Woodlawn Avenue, in addition to the elegant sign, the property boasts a traditional wrought iron fence and is bound on one side with a timeline mounted on posts. Tours begin in the parlor of the PURE Center, furnished and decorated true to the period of the house, followed by the dining room packed with artifacts, both African and American. Weapons from the civil war share space with an actual ankle shackle and calendars from a local business operating at the turn of the century. An amazing surprise waits in the kitchen of the Center; during remodeling an original beehive oven was uncovered. The PURE Center is not just a museum, there are things to touch, turn and examine downstairs plus a fully appointed media room upstairs and a wonderful library stocked with books on the period. Computers are available to the students and people taking advantage of this well appointed space.
As part of their outreach program, the PURE Center with Ohio University, the Muskingum County Community Foundation and the Ohio Humanities Council filmed the movie “Passages to Freedom” an historic reenactment of the Underground Railroad in Southeastern Ohio. It takes place in 1852 shortly before the outbreak of the Civil War during the period of the Fugitive Slave Law. The film not only brings to life this area’s proud heritage regarding the Underground Railroad, but also features local community members. “Passages to Freedom” won a Film Advisory Board Award of Excellence and is available for viewing as well as purchase at the PURE Center.
The PURE Center is open from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. Admission is just $3.00 for adults, $2.00 for Senior Citizens and $1.00 for students and children. It is located at 522 Woodlawn Avenue in Zanesville. For additional information call 740-450-3100.
