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Underground Railroad Initiative, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation and Archeology

In response to the 1998 challenge by the National Park Service for State Historic Preservation offices to locate their Underground Railroad resources, the Indian Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology (DHPA) created its Underground Railroad Initiative in 1998. In 1999, the DHPA formed a committee of volunteers known as the Indian Freedom Trails (IFT), with the purpose of researching the UGRR; the IFT has been accepted into the Network to Freedom as an Educational and Research Program. This group has group has grown such that it is working towards not-for-profit status, but remains a strong partner DHPA. The DHPA UGRR Initiative takes several forms to assure the research, preservation, and education of Indiana's UGRR heritage. The DHPA accomplishes these goals through publications, conferences, presentations, volunteer recruitment, preservation of structures, and research training. DHPS has seen several successes including publications of researchers' original work, well-attended conferences, extensive media exposure, volunteer recruitment and training, preservation of known UGRR sites, and increased public outreach.

Visitor Information: Currently open to public.

Location: IN DNR DHPA, 402 W. Washington Street, RM W274, Indianapolis, 46204-2739

National Park Unit: Yes

Ownership: Jon C. Smith, Deputy SHPO

Location Type: Program