I had a reunion with Rev. Larry Miller today, his wife Marilyn was at work but he is retired and I was glad to see him and reminisce. Three years ago Marilyn was undergoing chemotherapy during the time I was there and in spite of what a hardship that is on the whole family they welcomed this stranger crossing Ohio on an Underground Railroad walk. Marilyn is doing fine now. The Millers are about to sell their house and enjoy retirement in their condo in Port Clinton.

Pat and Sandy Crow of the Knox County Visitors Bureau took us through the Woodward Opera House. Although the Woodward Opera House is not directly related to the UGRR it was fascinating to get a tour of a historic building in the process of restoration. It really made me dream about an exciting restoration of the Cozad-Bates house. We are really working to say that pre-civil war house in Cleveland. Hard work and a determined grassroots organization. If they can do it, so can we.

The Woodward Opera House is the oldest authentic 19 th century theatre in the country. Founded in 1851 Uncle Tom’s Cabin was one the favorite plays presented there.

Dan Emmett, a white man immortalized as a ‘black faced’ minstrel, gave his final performance at the Woodward. Mt. Vernon is about to celebrate its bicentennial and Dan Emmett is one of Mt. Vernon’s most famous sons. You can walk through his childhood home on South Main Street and see Emmett memorabilia on exhibit at the Knox County Historical Society Museum.