THE PERRY HISTORIANS AWARDED GRANT and are HAVING SPECIAL PRESENTATION ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD The Perry Historians, a genealogical library located near New Bloomfield, Perry Co., PA., have received a grant from the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission and the National Park Service to research the African American families of Perry County. This application was also supported by the Newport Public Library and the Perry County Council of the Arts. During the coming year, research into the African American community from 1820 until 1920 will continue, culminating in a book, a driving tour, and a Power Point presentation available for community and school use. Perry County has a long history of strong African American communities and family groups. Several Underground Railroad routes and "conductors" have been identified. A cemetery and African Methodist Episcopal Church have been located near Millerstown. Nearly thirty Perry County young men served in the United States Colored Troops during the Civil War, and many are buried in the county. During this year-long project The Perry Historians are seeking information about the African American heritage of the County. Some topics of interest are camp meetings, "hex doctors" or healers, the Little Washington and Forge Hill settlements near Millerstown, black skilled labor in the iron industry, land ownership, businesses owned and operated by African American families, sports figures, and many others. Jerry Clouse, Vice President of TPH and Jean Tuzinski, Secretary, recently signed the contract for this project. Janet Taylor will coordinate the research and write the book. Jerry Clouse will be in charge of preparing the book for publication. Jean Tuzinski will act as Project Manager as well as producing a Power Point presentation, and Steve Metzger will organize a driving tour of African American locations in the County. Many members of TPH have already contributed information found during their own research on various subjects. On Sunday, October 24, 2010, at 2:00 p.m., The Perry Historians will host a discussion of the Underground Railroad in Perry County, Pennsylvania. The county was the scene of much action on the "Underground Railroad" between 1830 and 1863. This informal network existed to aid fugitive slaves escaping to freedom. There were at least five "stations" in the county and many "agents" or "conductors" Janet Taylor will lead a discussion of the latest findings, including how to go about locating an Underground Railroad Station. Known and possible routes through the county will be explored, including the Juniata Division of the Pennsylvania Canal. Other topics will include Methodists and Mennonites, the sea shell thank you gift, and why secrecy was so important. This is an information sharing session, so any information at all about the UGRR will be greatly appreciated! The discussion and presentation are FREE to all and will be held in the upstairs of the Hoverter Archives at the Harry Lenig Library - home of The Perry Historians. Light refreshments to be served following the program. Please contact The Perry Historians at 717-582-4896 or through our website at www.ThePerryHistorians.org for further information or to pass on any items of interest.