Come hear about the history of the Underground Railroad in Cleveland. Before the Civil War ended slavery, many Clevelanders had publicly advocated its abolition through Constitutional amendment. Ohio's north coast was also a hotbed of illegal Underground Railroad activity. Ships sailing from Cleveland's docks frequently carried stowaway slaves seeking a new life in Canada. The city was even given the code name "Hope" because it was seen as a jumping-off place to freedom.

Learn about this fascinating history from Fran Stewart of the Restore Cleveland Hope
organization, https://www.restoreclevelandhope.com

Fran Stewart is a founder and board member of Restore Cleveland Hope, where she helps provide tours at the Cozad-Bates House Underground Railroad Interpretive Center. She co-authored the book, In Their Path: A Grandmother’s 519-Mile Underground Railroad Walk. Besides her interest in Ohio’s Underground Railroad history, she writes about public policy, economic development and workforce development. Fran is currently part of a multi- organizational Urban Agenda initiative to improve economic mobility in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. She is also partnering with two longtime writing associates on a book about Ohio’s manufacturing history.