The following is from a Montgomery County Historical Society's 2015 Newsletter, written by our former curator Heather Kuzma. Please enjoy!
Curator’s Corner
By Heather Kuzma, Curator/Collections Manager
This space highlights an object or objects from the collection of the MCHS. We are rediscovering old items and receiving new donations and this is a chance to take a peek into our vast holdings.
This year, the Speed Cabin has been on the grounds of Lane Place for 25 years. The Speed Cabin is probably one of the most well-known Underground Railroad sites in Montgomery County, but there are many Underground Railroad stories associated with the area. Montgomery County was along the Western Route of the Underground Railroad that ran through Indiana. An initiative called the Network to Freedom was started by the National Park Service during the 1990s. It is a listing of Underground Railroad and African-American sites from around the nation. Despite the vibrant Underground Railroad history in Montgomery County, no site is listed.
Over the past year, I have been working on an application to list both the Speed Cabin and the historical marker located on the cabin’s original site. The application is extensive requiring tons of documentation in order to prove Speed’s involvement. After hours of research and writing, the application has been submitted.
Follow up next Thursday for more information about the Speed Cabin!