"Passages of Freedom": Bringing the Underground Railroad to life

By Jaime Ciavarra

The Ohio Underground Railroad Association is an all-volunteer non-profit organization, whose sole purpose is to research, identify, document and preserve Underground Railroad sites throughout Ohio. The association's Southeast Ohio Coordinator, Henry Burke, provided historical information for the "Passages of Freedom" script. Credit: Courtesy of the Friends of Freedom Society

The Underground Railroad, a significant part of Ohio's local history and proud heritage, is remembered, re-enacted and revitalized in the Ohio University-Zanesville sponsored film "Passages of Freedom." The film, along with a study guide, will be used in area school districts to teach youth about the cooperation of free black citizens, slaves and white abolitionists in ensuring personal freedom.

"The film teaches that no matter how bad a wrong there is, you can do something to make a right. Any ordinary citizen can," said Ann Wiemhoff, the film's director.

"Passages of Freedom" re-enacts the human, social and political development of southeastern Ohio in 1852, showing the growth of the Underground Railroad from Marietta, through Deavertown, Putnam and New Concord. The film highlights the story of the Fairfax family, slaves who escape from the Henderson Plantation in West Virginia and travel to Canada.

The Ohio Humanities Council and The Putnam Underground Railroad Educational Center (PURE Center), a project that is constructing a museum and interactive learning center to teach the community about the Underground Railroad, monetarily supported the film project with aid from local businesses. The idea for the video sparked when Wiemhoff attended an Ohio Humanities Council meeting with PURE Center President Kathy Brantley in January 2002. "Children learn visually. Film is a perfect way to teach our youth and the PURE Center will benefit too," Wiemhoff said.

"The film will be an educational tool used at the PURE Center and it will be shown at the center's opening later this year," said Ann Day, special projects coordinator for the Muskingum County Community Foundation.

Ohio University-Zanesville students worked as both cast and crew for the project, and the film features a professional actor, Anderson Paul, who portrays Isaac Fairfax. Local talent includes James McDonald of Zanesville who plays Fredrick Douglass and Christie Thomas and Krandall Brantley of Zanesville who play Fairfax's children.

Much of the filming took place on the Dawson family farm in New Concord and in preserved safe houses in Putnam, which were used in the Underground Railroad. "One of the film's most touching scenes," Wiemhoff said, "re-enacts Fredrick Douglass's fiery speech against slavery in the Putnam Presbyterian Church in 1852." Church members served as extras in this scene and designed costumes from the period.

An antique false bottom wagon used to secretly transport slaves, and traditional African American songs and hymns, conducted by Liesta Walker, choir director of the Hands of Faith Church in Zanesville, add authenticity to the film. Henry Burke, southeast Ohio coordinator for the Ohio Underground Railroad Association and Lorle Porter, a historian, provided historical information for the script. Burke decided to help with the project because such rich history in southeastern Ohio is often overlooked. "It's important for (youth) to realize the heritage that surrounds them," Burke added.

Wiemhoff said the film will benefit education most because it will spark further interest in the Underground Railroad. "This film portrays only the tip of the iceburg," she said. "There is a lot of knowledge below this that teachers and students can explore."

"Passages of Freedom" will premiere at Ohio University-Zanesville in conjunction with the PURE Center. Wiemhoff also plans to submit the film to the Public Broadcasting Station in Athens. For more information, see www.mccf.org/PURE/

Jaime Ciavarra is a student writer with University Communications and Marketing.