Marietta College pays tribute to city’s Underground Railroad past

MARIETTA -- Marietta College held a ceremony on Saturday near the corner of Fifth and Putnam streets in Marietta to dedicate the abolishment of slavery, as well as the contributions the historical city of Marietta gave when organizing efforts to help slaves get to freedom through the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad was part of the Monumental passage that was constructed for the purpose of getting slaves out of the South, and into Northern Territory where they could be free.

Tony Mayle, associate dean of students, and director of diversity and inclusion at Marietta College, helped organize this event, and feels very passionately about the significance the Underground Railroad played throughout history. Mayle is also a tour guide of the historical passage.

"I am grateful to be a part of this, to have the opportunity to share the history of the importance of Marietta's role as part of the Underground Railroad. I am also a tour guide, and welcome anyone who is interested to experience it for themselves. To understand and appreciate what was done below our streets for the sake of freedom and unity."

Ada Woodson Adams, a colleague and friend of Mayle, as well as a fellow activist and historian, was another guest speaker at the event.

"It is an honor to be here today, and pay tribute to one of the most important causes in history," Adams said. "Marietta is full of history, and it's important to note why, as freedom of the people is what our nation was built on and what we will always preserve, through memorializing the significance like we are here today."

The dedication marker can be viewed by the public in person from it's location on Putnam Street in Marietta. For more information about the Underground Railroad tours and it's history visit the college campus or their website.

Maria Rutherford can be reached at mrutherford@newsandsentinel.com