LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A city-owned property in southwest Lawrence is now a nationally designated Underground Railroad site.
The Lawrence Journal-World reports the site, known as the Grover barn, was originally the barn of abolitionist settlers Joel and Emily Grover. The two-story limestone building once hid fleeing slaves, including a group of freed slaves from Missouri led by abolitionist John Brown.
The city acquired the barn in 1980.
A group called the Guardians of Grover Barn worked to get the building recognized.
Watch our story about the barn & the group's efforts below.
Kerry Altenbernd, chairman of the Guardians of Grover Barn, said the designation from the National Park Service is the first step toward recognizing the barn's important place in American history.
The designation allows the city to apply for grants to preserve the building and create historic markers or signs for the site.
The building is currently used by the fire/medical and police departments.
