Its not your typical radio station. Rather, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati has introduced “Freedom Radio,” an online audio magazine of interviews and commentary on the general themes of freedom and opportunity promoted by the Center.

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center itself is an extraordinary place - one that analyzes both the powerful historical and modern yearnings for freedom and equality.  The tangible artifacts of the past on display there inform that journey.

We are also most proud that the host is “one of our own” at Preservation Ohio. The amazing Carl Westmoreland, in addition to serving as Senior Advisor of Historic Preservation at the Freedom Center and also being a recipient of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Louise Dupont Crownishield Award, is also President Emeritus of the Ohio Preservation Alliance, Inc., Preservation Ohio's corporate organization.

The website of the Freedom Radio project profiles upcoming programs, which include topics such as “Harriett Beecher Stowe's Legacy's Impact on Today's World.” The site includes audio of the inaugural program, which includes a look at the history of the Freedom Center. It is well worth a visit and a listen.

Photo: Statue, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Cincinnati - Kabridas/Creative Commons Photo

The Historic Ohio Iron and Steel Bridges Blog shares its desire to “explore the remaining old iron and steel truss bridges in Ohio before they disappear.” Its most recent story, posted on March 4, profiles the oldest iron bridge in Ohio. Constructed in 1859, the bridge is housed in a public park in Massillon, but still requires substantial preservation work to guarantee its survival.

The Seneca County Blog, proudly proclaiming “All that’s hot, and all that’s not, about life in Seneca County, Ohio,” has published a letter from Tiffin Attorney John Bargas to County Commissioners concerning the imminent demolition of the Seneca County Courthouse. It’s a great read.

Waymarking.com has added another Ohio Historical Marker to its collection. In February, the Riverside Park: Old Mill Stream marker in Findlay became the 317th Ohio marker to be included. The site features a description and photos of each marker, as well as GPS coordinates, maps, and related links where available.

MyHometownOhio enjoys readership not only from Ohioans, but from others across the country as well. We recently read this great entry in the blog of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s (New York) Historic Preservation Program which mentions our blog, and then goes on to look at other preservation organizations and efforts that are using videos and other Web 2.0 tools for advocacy and education.

Photo: Ohio Historical Markers at Fort Industry and Port Lawrence - Patrick T. Power/Creative Commons License

Yet another piece of Ohio history stands in the way of “progress” – this time in rural Licking County, approximately 20 miles east of Columbus.

The historic resource in question is the Captain Joseph M. Scott House, an Italianate residence located in the path of the Ohio 161/37 expressway expansion project. According to this story in the Newark Advocate, a local group has formed to move the house out of harm’s way, and has secured a relocation site. Unfortunately, a short time-frame for action requires that the group obtain $45,000 in cash between now and April 12.

Captain Scott served with Company B of the 76^th Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the US Civil War, and led his troops in the battles of Shiloh, Fort Donelsen and the Siege of Corinth, Mississippi. According to the 1881 Licking County History, he was present at the formation of the Ohio Republican Party, and was a prominent abolitionist prior to the War. Scott’s outstanding service to his country is certainly reason enough to safeguard this historic home.

The small village of Alexandria is facing yet another effort to save a historic building, as the local elementary school faces replacement and/or demolition in another of Ohio’s historic school discussions.

Preservation Ohio strongly encourages all of our readers to consider sending a tax-deductible contribution to: Alexandria Community Council, Friends of Captain Scott Committee, P.O. Box 234, Alexandria, OH 43001.

Photo: Captain Joseph M. Scott House, Alexandria, Period Photograph

Yesterday, March 1, saw the Ohio Statehouse come alive with history, and members and friends of eight history-related statewide organizations hosted the second-annual Statehood Day. Over the last several months, organizational representatives met to plan the event and fashion a set of legislative priorities. Then, on Statehood Day itself, over 160 Ohioans, including Preservation Ohio, took those priorities with them as they met with members of the Ohio General Assembly, their staffs, and also department heads and officials.

This year’s list of legislative priorities included the following, which were grouped under the general areas of meeting public commitments, reinvesting at the local level, and promoting Ohio’s historic heritage.

• The State should provide its 40% share of the 60/40, federal/state funding split to enable the Ohio Historic Preservation Office to fulfill the State’s responsibility to identify, register, and protect Ohio’s historic properties. The state is currently funding the OHPO with only a 25% cash match.

• Significantly increase state investment into the state archives program to ensure Ohio’s government remains open and accountable to its citizens. Ohio now ranks last in the nation in funding its state archives.

• Strengthen state policy concerning the conservation of archeological and historic properties affected by public improvements.

• Establish a new competitive matching grants program to leverage public investments in local historical, archival and preservation organizations.

• Encourage the preservation of historic schools by reducing public funding bias and allowing historic buildings vacated under the state’s school facilities program to be transferred to non-profit entities.

• Create a statewide cultural and heritage tourism program with local input, including increased funding for the state’s Department of Travel & Tourism.

• The state should provide planning funds for the upcoming Civil War Sesquicentennial (which begins in 2011) in order for Ohio to fully engage in statewide activities and educational programs.