Please join us on a fundraiser to remind NE Ohio of a progressive past and help reinvigorate a promising future. Prior to the Civil War and emancipation, "Hope" was the code name for Cleveland for emancipating slaves seeking support in the final stop before Canada -- Come learn about the past and "Restore Cleveland Hope" with this fundraiser for the nonprofit and the effort to restore the Cozad-Bates Home, the oldest pre-civil war building in University Circle.
Join Kevin Cronin and Leslye Huff and meet Joan Southgate, learn about the Cozad-Bates House and help the nonprofit "Restore Cleveland Hope"!
When: Thursday April 9, 4:-6:30 pm
Where: The Brown Hoist Building
4403 Saint Clair Avenue (corner of E. 45th St.)
Cleveland, Ohio 44103
Admission: $25, $50 or $100, to benefit Restore Cleveland Hope (501C3 not for profit organization)
Learn about early Cleveland's positive activities, the Cozad and Bates families and Reverend Ford, who assisted in emancipation efforts. Two years ago, Joan Southgate, a vibrant eighty year-old St. Clair area resident walked across Ohio, as so many slaves seeking freedom from Virginia and Kentucky did before her, relying on supportive families to follow the Freedom trail. In May, Joan will walk back to Cleveland, from the emancipation destination of St. Catherine's, Ontario, completing the final 220 miles of her 739 mile walk for freedom.
Northeast Ohio has important stories to tell!! Prior to the Civil War, Cleveland was a vibrant stop on the route to freedom for escaping slaves:
* At least eight Lake Erie cities served as starting point to transport escaping slaves to freedom in Canada;
* Approximately 3,000 miles of "underground railroad" trails existed in Ohio;
* The National Park Service has identified ten Ohio "underground railroad sites in its National Register of Historic Places, more than any other state!
The Cozad-Bates House, located on Mayfield Road, just south of Euclid Avenue, has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974.
RSVP: Kevin Cronin
216.377.0615
kevin [dot] cronin [dot] ohio [at] gmail [dot] com