Marker noting historic African American settlement and Underground Railroad to be dedicated at the Wilds

By Toni Kellar

An Ohio Historical Society marker noting an important African American settlement in the southern Muskingum County area will be installed and dedicated at the Wilds Saturday, July 21, 2007.  

Part of the Lett family settlement was located on property now in the hands of the Wilds, a 10,000 acre conservation center in Southeast Ohio. This land was once strip mined and later donated by American Electric Power to the Wilds, which was established in 1984.

The dedication of the historic marker will be held near the Wilds' Johnson Visitor Center at 11 a.m. The marker recognizes the establishment and contributions of Ohio's early African American pioneers. These families from Maryland and Virginia established a settlement in the vicinity of Zeno in Muskingum County, in Cumberland in Guernsey County, and in adjacent townships in Morgan County.

“The first of the men and women who settled here arrived around 1800,” said southeastern Ohio historian and Lett family member Henry Robert Burke. “Most were of mixed race ancestry but more importantly were pioneers who moved to secure better opportunities.”

According to Mr. Burke, Ohio’s first African American families began arriving in Marietta and continued to settle along the Muskingum River to what is now Zanesville and the Muskingum County area.

Between the years of 1812 to 1861, these free African American families helped establish the Underground Railroad in Ohio’s southeast region. They were also involved in the Abolitionist Movement in southeastern Ohio, and the young men of the families served in the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865.

Speakers at the Ohio Historical Society marker dedication ceremony at the Wilds, will include Ohio Senator Joy Padgett, Muskingum County Commissioner Dorothy Montgomery, Ohio Historical Society Director of Government Relations Todd Kleismit, and the Wilds’ Executive Director Dr. Evan Blumer.

Descendents of the Lett family will be in attendance. The event is open to the public.

Following the marker dedication, the Lett Settlement Families Reunion Committee will host a reunion at the Meigs Township School House in nearby Zeno, featuring historic presentations and activities. Details of Lett family history can be found at http://henryburke1010.tripod.com/lettsettlementreunion/

The Wilds is one of the largest conservation centers in North America, and offers a unique opportunity for visitors to experience Safari Transport tours through open-range habitats to encounter rare and threatened wildlife from around the world.

The mission of the Wilds is to advance conservation through science, education, and personal experience. For more information, visit www.thewilds.org, or call 740-638-5030.