UNDERGROUND PUTNAM A WALK/BIKE/DRIVE-BY Tour The National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act Featuring National Park Service of 1998 directs the National Park Service (NPS) to “establish a NETWORK TO FREEDOM Sites program that tells the story of resistance against the institu- tion of slavery in the United States through escape and flight. This story is illustrative of a basic founding principle of this Nation, that all human beings embrace the right to self- determination and freedom from oppression.” Through the Network to Freedom Program, “NPS is demonstrating the significance of the Underground Railroad not only in the erad- ication of slavery, but as a cornerstone of our national civil rights movement.” 115 Jefferson St Zanesville, OH 43701 740-454-9500 [email protected] PUTNAM HISTORIC DISTRICT Stone Academy DRIVE/BIKE/WALK–BY TOUR 115 Jefferson Street Built 1809 The Stone Academy, the only public building in Ohio from the early 1800s still standing, was constructed in 1809 to serve as Ohio‘s statehouse in an attempt to lure the capital to Springfield (later Putnam). 1. Dr. Increase Mathews House Zanesville, then a separate town, won out and served as capital from 2. Henry Mathews house 1810-1812. The building is now operated as a museum. 3. Stone Academy (NTF) Even more significant, is that the building served as the center of the abolitionist movement, which in Putnam was heavily intertwined with 4. Wells Hazlett House the Underground Railroad. Putnam was settled primarily by anti-slavery 11 New Englanders while most who settled across the river in Zanesville 5. Nye-Potts House (NTF) were pro-slavery Virginians. 6. Alvah Buckingham House In March 1835, the Stone Academy hosted a series of anti-slavery lec- 9 7. George Guthrie House tures given by noted orator Theodore Weld. (NTF) The Ohio Anti-Slavery 8 Society held its first state 8. Putnam Presbyterian convention in the build- 7 Church (NTF) ing in April of 1835. Pro- slavery mobs from Za- 9. Putnam Presbyterian Manse nesville tried to disrupt these meetings, often 10. Schultz Mansion resorting to violence. 11. A.A. Guthrie House In 1840 the building was converted to a private residence and, according NOTE: The Nelson T. Gant Homestead, 1845 West Main Street, is also part of to oral tradition, and the the Network to Freedom. (http://visitzanesville.info/nelson-t-gant-homestead/). Ohio Friends of Freedom For more information about area attractions please call the Zanesville- Muskingum County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-743-2303 or visit Society, was used as a www.visitzanesville.com. station on the Under- ground Railroad. The Major Horace and Lucinda Nye House George Guthrie (aka Nye-Potts House) 228 Adams Street House Built 1830 521 Woodlawn Ave This five-bay brick, center hall late Federal Style Built 1842 house built in Putnam, Ohio (now Zanesville) in 1830 was home to Major Horace Nye (1786-1859) and his second wife Lu- This temple-form Greek Revival house was the residence of prosperous cinda Belknap Nye (1792- merchant George Guthrie and his wife, Sarah, and a station on the Under- 1874). Both were active ground Railroad. Described as “new school Presbyterians”, like many oth- abolitionists who partici- ers in Putnam who participated in the Underground Railroad, George and pated in the Underground Sarah belonged to the Putnam Presbyterian Church, which was located Railroad. only two lots away from where they built their home. The building with a two-story portico supported by four Tuscan columns is Major Nye participated in Ohio Anti-Slavery Society state conventions held listed in the National Register of Historic Places as part of Zanesville’s Put- in Putnam in 1835 and 1839, presiding at the later event. His wife was pres- nam Historic District. The house is currently a private residence. ident of the Muskingum County Female Anti-Slavery Society. They were members of the Putnam Presbyterian Church, which had strong ties to the It is well documented that George and Sarah, working in concert with Underground Railroad. Major Nye’s son (by his first marriage), Dr. Horace George’s brothers Austin and Stephen, along with members of the African Safford (H.S.) Nye, also an active UGRR participant, in a post script in a American community, participated in Underground Railroad activities. letter to historian Wilbur H. Siebert wrote, “Major Horace Nye, A.A. Guth- rie, Mathew Gillespie, Levi Whipple were among the bravest and most fearless conductors.” In her unpublished autobiography Sarah The home sits squarely on recalled, “I well re- the street as was typical of member hiding more densely populated three children in our towns in the east. Particu- attic over one Sab- larly noteworthy is the bath while their raised doorway with fan owners were riding light. through the street in The house is currently a pri- pursuit.” vate residence. A. A. Guthrie House Putnam Presbyterian 405 Woodlawn Avenue Church Built 1830 467 Woodlawn Ave Built 1835 Built in 1835, the brick Greek Revival building was the major religious center of the Putnam’s abolitionist community. Its members actively The federal style house supported the anti-slavery movement and the Underground Railroad. In fact it was the radical anti-slavery beliefs of the members that led to the was home to Albert Austin church’s founding. At one time, the members had attended the Za- Guthrie, who was de- nesville Presbyterian Church, but when they found that their more radi- scribed as being “among cal anti-slavery beliefs were not embraced, they decided to start their the bravest and most fear- own church. less conductors” on the Underground Railroad. Born in Washington Coun- The UGRR activity of its ty, Ohio on January 9, members is well documented 1803, Guthrie came to the in the Siebert Collection, Putnam at the age of thir- county histories, and person- teen. He along with his al reminisces. The church, brothers, George and Ste- which still has an active con- phen, became active mem- gregation, was recognized bers of the abolitionist for its involvement in the Underground Railroad on the movement and partici- National Register as part of pants in the Underground the Putnam Historic District Railroad. and by Ohio’s Friends of He was known as an “an efficient and successful anti-slavery lecturer, in Freedom Society. this and adjoining counties” and “among the earliest and most ardent The church’s first pastor was advocates of immediate emancipation, when almost the entire sentiment William Henry Beecher, eld- of the community on the slavery question was against him.” est brother of Harriet Bee- cher Stowe. The house is currently a private residence. .