More Papers Pick Up Story
The Chicago Tribune ran the Associated Press story today, at least in their online edition, though I didn't find it in the downstate edition I bought at the gas station earlier. It's under the headling, "Old Slave House recognized as landmark."

Brian DeNeal wrote his own version of the story based on his interviews with me last week. The Daily Register of Harrisburg now has it online under the headline, "Old Slave House given federal recognition."

One note I should make regarding the term landmark. While generically it is correct. The Old Slave House is a landmark. It's not an official designation that the house has earned.

In terms of historic recognition the federal government operates three levels:

National Register of Historic Places, of which there are thousands of such sites, one of which is the Old Slave House (though it's listed as Crenshaw House). The house is on the register for its architectural significance, not its history. As some point a modification will need to be made to add the history.

National Historic Landmark, of which there are only probably in the low hundreds across the country. These are sites approved by the Secretary of the Interior of having a historical significance that is national in scope and not just local or regional. The Old Slave House hasn't been given this recognition, but as the last remaining "reverse Underground Railroad" known to still be standing, it's worthy of pursuit.

National Historic Sites, of which there are probably less than 100 that are operated directly by the National Park Service.