PREBLE COUNTY — Researchers are beginning to record the Preble County’s Underground Railroad history for the United States’ 250-year celebration in 2026.

To date, the Preble County Historical Society has identified nearly 50 abolitionists who were documented as involved in the Underground Railroad (UGRR). For each of those individuals, the PCHS plans to generate a data sheet and create a biographical document.

Given the secretive nature of the UGRR and the fact that the UGRR occurred over 165 years ago, documenting the people involved and their role is a daunting task. “We need your help to research one or more of the abolitionists,” PCHS Executive Director Lisa White said in a recent press release.

“After the data collection is complete, we plan to create a ‘Gateway to the Underground Railroad’ center in Preble County where the abolitionists are honored and the Underground Railroad routes, safe houses, and documented UGRR incidents in the county are highlighted. We plan to place historic plaques at the UGRR stations, as well. We would like to link our county UGRR gateway to the Ohio Historical Society, the Freedom Center, Levi Coffin gateway center, and other UGRR gateway centers in the area. Our intent is to provide a more holistic picture of the Underground Railroad in the region.”

Anyone who would like to participate in the research and the creation of the gateway center, should call 513-482-1647 or email [email protected].

“The Civil War was one of the major events in our country’s first 250 years and the Underground Railroad was one of the major catalysts that caused the Civil War. The mysterious Underground Railroad is one of the least documented events in our country’s history. Please help us unravel the mystery!” White added.