The Midwest Underground Railroad Network, originally named The Little Calumet River Underground Railroad Project, has reached national prominence, reflecting the pre-Civil War history of the entire Calumet region. Recently, officials from the network announced that the South Holland-based nonprofit has been officially acknowledged as part of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom by the National Park Service.
The announcement coincided with International Underground Railroad Month, a time devoted to celebrating historical events and communities from a significant era. Rodney Harrington, the nonprofit’s president, emphasized the importance of this recognition: “This recognition is not simply an achievement for our organization — it is an opportunity to deepen our commitment to preserving history, educating our communities, and honoring those who pursued freedom and those who courageously helped make that freedom possible.”
According to Tom Shepherd, secretary of the network, many freedom seekers traveled through Chicago’s Southland and the Illinois Central Railroad. Shepherd noted, “It so happens that the South Holland area was right along a route that Freedom Seekers used in their escape from slavery, and in an effort to reach Chicago and the northern states where slavery was not permitted by law.”
The national recognition enhances visibility for the organization, placing it alongside historically significant sites in 40 states, Washington D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada, as noted by the National Park Service. The list includes locations like the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Washington, D.C., and the Harriet Tubman House in Auburn, New York.
The nonprofit stated in a news release: “This distinguished national distinction connects MURN’s ongoing regional work — spanning Chicago, South Holland, northwest Indiana and surrounding communities — to a broader national effort dedicated to preserving, interpreting and sharing the history of the Underground Railroad and the courageous individuals who pursued freedom.”
In collaboration with South Suburban College’s Service Learning Club, the Midwest Underground Railroad Network will host a festival on October 21 to spotlight the history of the Underground Railroad and honor those who sought freedom. Jennifer Medlen, service learning coordinator and professor at South Suburban College, highlighted the event’s theme: “We want to expose our students and anyone from the community that comes to this history that they might not be aware of. People have heard of the Underground Railroad, but they might not realize the connections here.”
The partnership between South Suburban College and the Midwest Underground Railroad Network is longstanding, with past events including discussions led by Larry McClellan, one of the group’s founders. Medlen expressed the value of student involvement: “We want students to feel like they are playing their own part in history today, and part of their way of playing a part is recognizing the history before them and being able to engage with it in a creative way that speaks to them.”
The free event will feature art and poetry by students, allowing them to engage creatively. The festivities run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the atrium and MB Financial Room at South Suburban College, 15800 State St., South Holland. The program includes a meet and greet, poetry readings, an art exhibit, spiritual performances, lectures, and musical performances. Notable figures such as Stephen Marc and Glennette Tilly Turner will contribute readings and discussions on the Underground Railroad.
For more information, contact Medlen at [email protected].