Saturdays in July and August - Freedom's Friends History Walk

Guided History Walks are offered Saturdays at 11 a.m. June through October. Tickets must be purchased through the online event calendar or at the Monroe House's Museum Store; tickets are not available at the starting point of the tour. $6 per adult (free for OHC members, college/university students with current ID; and for children under 18 years accompanied by a parent or guardian; the tour is best suited for 9 years and older.) Each walk is 60-75 minutes. History walks may be cancelled and fees refunded if raining at the tour start time. Additional history walks will be offered in September and October; check the website for updates.  

Freedom's Friends History Walk. July-August. Prior to the Civil War, as many as 3,000 African Americans passed through or lived in Oberlin after escaping from slavery. The town was once said to be second only to Canada as an asylum for freedom seekers. This guided history walk is about the historic decisions that shaped Oberlin's growth as a station and highlights the individuals and events that marked Oberlin as one of the most active stations of the Underground Railroad. Stories include Oberlin College's acceptance of African American students, the famous ship Amistad, men who volunteered for John Brown's violent raid on Harper's Ferry and local efforts to thwart slave catchers. The tour begins at the front steps of First Church, U.C.C. at the northwest corner of Main and Lorain (S.R. 511) Streets. Review the general "History Walk" section above for reservation and fee information.

Register online.