In 2012, three murals painted by Oberlin High School art students were presented to the City.  Each mural depicts a different aspect of Oberlin’s history with the Underground Railroad, including an image of Harriet Tubman with a map of the different paths to freedom in Canada taken by slaves, slaves making their journey north in the darkness of night, and the Oberlin-Wellington Rescue participants.

The mural project was under the direction of Oberlin High School art teacher, Lorna Kretchmar until her retirement in 2011, and was taken over by current art teacher, Danielle Camino.  The art students were asked to research the history of Oberlin’s role in the Underground Railroad and come up with the designs of the murals.  Over the course of two months, a group of five students completed the three murals, with one being painted jointly by Kasha Hilton and Stephanie Luczkowski, another being painted by Marissa Hart and Neva Rustad, and the third mural being painted by Rachel Mentzer.

The murals are currently on display at the Visit Lorain County Visitors’ Bureau (8025 Leavitt Road, Amherst, Ohio) until they can be on permanent display at the Oberlin Underground Railroad Center upon its completion.

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