Marker unveiling planned at Falls City Underground Railroad site
Dorrington House and Barn site named to the Network to Freedom
By News Channel Nebraska
FALLS CITY – The Collection Museum of Falls City will host a designation ceremony for the Dorrington House and Barn Site at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 25.
The National Park Service named the site to the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom in September based on research conducted by former World-Herald Columnist Robert Nelson, the great-great-great grandchild of abolitionists David and Ann Dorrington.
Dorrington obtained the contract to carry U.S. mail between Topeka, Kan. and Falls City and used wagons to help freedom-seekers north on the Lane Trail. Ann Dorrington provided food,water and medical assistance for those sheltered in the family’s barn.
The original 1857 house at 1601 Stone St. was replaced by the two-story brick structure in the early 1880s. It became Falter’s clothing store and currently houses the Collection Museum.
The Network to Freedom has more than 700 locations in 39 states. Nebraska is home to 14 locations.