John P. Parker House facts for kids
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John P. Parker House
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Viewed from the northwest
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | 300 N. Front St., Ripley, Ohio |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | c. 1853 |
| NRHP reference No. | 80002944, 97000340 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | January 7, 1980 |
| Designated NHL | February 18, 1997 |
The John P. Parker House is a special historic house museum located at 300 North Front Street in Ripley, Ohio. This house was once the home of John P. Parker (1827–1900). He lived here from 1853 until he passed away in 1900.
John P. Parker was a former slave who became an inventor and a brave abolitionist. An abolitionist was someone who worked to end slavery. Parker was also a well-known "conductor" on the Underground Railroad. He helped many hundreds of people escape slavery to freedom.
The house was recognized as a National Historic Place in 1980. It was later named a National Historic Landmark in 1997. Today, a local group runs the house as a museum. It teaches visitors about John P. Parker's life and the movement to end slavery.
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About the John P. Parker House
The John P. Parker House sits by the Ohio River in Ripley. It is a two-story building made of brick. The roof has a unique stepped design on the sides. A smaller wooden part extends from the back of the house. The front of the house has three sections, with the main door on the right.
Who Was John P. Parker?
John P. Parker was born into slavery. However, his owner, a doctor, made sure he received an education. This education helped Parker to eventually buy his own freedom. After becoming free, he settled in Ripley, Ohio.
Parker was a very brave man. He often crossed into Kentucky, which was a slave state at the time. He did this to find people who were trying to escape slavery. He would then guide them to safety using the secret network of the Underground Railroad in Ripley.
A Secret Network: The Underground Railroad
Ripley, Ohio, was a very important place for the Underground Railroad. Many people there believed slavery was wrong. They helped those escaping across the river from Kentucky. Even though Parker's house was close to the river, he usually did not hide people inside it. Its location was known to both freedom seekers and those who tried to catch them.
The House's Story
The house was built around 1853. It was part of a larger area where John Parker had his businesses. He owned a machine shop, a blacksmith shop, and a foundry. These were places where metal was shaped and worked.
Sadly, a fire in 1889 damaged or destroyed most of Parker's workshops. He did not rebuild them after the fire. After John Parker passed away, his wife sold the property. For many years, it was used for shipping coal.
Visiting the Museum Today
In the 1990s, a local non-profit group bought the house. They worked hard to fix it up and turn it into a museum. Today, the John P. Parker House Museum helps people learn about this important part of American history. It tells the story of John P. Parker's courage and the fight for freedom.
See Also
- John Rankin House (Ripley, Ohio), another important Underground Railroad stop in Ripley
- List of Underground Railroad sites
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Ohio
