Spring Hill Historic Home & Underground Railroad Site

Spring Hill farm was settled by prominent New England Quakers, Thomas and Charity Rotch in 1811, and was later inhabited by the Wales family for three generations (1830-1973). The historic home was built in 1821 and also served as a safe haven for slaves traveling to freedom on the underground railroad in northeast Ohio. The site’s sixteen acres include woods, fields, gardens and several outbuildings including an early 1800s wool house, a 1903 milk house, and more.

Thomas and Charity Rotch were a Quaker couple from New England who were devoted to creating their own sustainable and peaceful community in Stark County, Ohio. In 1811 they moved to northeast Ohio primarily to cure Charity’s case of spotted fever by living in a healthier climate. For their first 9 years in northeast Ohio they lived in a log cabin until their farmhouse was built in 1821. Between these years, the Rotches would grow their community of Kendal into a thriving social and economic town. Both Thomas and Charity were actively involved as ministers and ambassadors for Quaker/Indian affairs and would later open their home as a safe haven for runaway slaves. Thomas passed away in 1823 and Charity a year later. Their home was sold to their long-time friend Arvine Wales in 1830 who also supported the abolitionist movement. Arvine added a west wing to the house in 1831. The house has been owned by three generations of the Wales family, until 1973 when it became a historic home and grounds. The Massillon Museum Foundation, Inc. was founded in 1966 to save property acreage from redevelopment, and was rebranded as Spring Hill Historic Home, Inc. in 2006. It has been recognized by the Friends of Freedom Society as an underground railroad site. In addition, it’s known as the oldest house of significance in Massillon, Ohio.

Spring Hill Historic Home & Underground Railroad Site is open for tours year-round and hosts educational events seasonally. More information can be found by calling 330-833-6749 or visiting www.springhillhistorichome.org

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/undergroundrailroad/ntf-listings.htm

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https://www.amazon.com/Invaluable-Friends-Thomas-Charity-Rotch/dp/B0006P6S8M