“I can’t think of a more important site in Springfield that hasn’t been nominated,” he said. “It’s the first site relating to African-American history that will be nominated for (local) landmark status.”
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The Gammon House was built in 1850 and was a stop on the Underground Railroad, a secret network used to help slaves escape to free states.
The museum, located at 620 S. Piqua Place, is dedicated to preserving the local history of the Gammon family and other local African-Americans who operated the Underground Railroad and those who risked their lives fleeing from slavery.
The house is one of only three existing Ohio stops that was owned by a free person of color.
Rose explained there’s a big difference between a building being on the National Register and designating it as a local landmark.
“The thing about the National Parks Service and the National Register is it offers zero protections for a building. Protection comes at the local level. Cities are in charge of protecting their landmarks,” Rose said.
The Springfield Landmarks Commission unanimously approved the nomination Monday evening. The issues now moves on to the City of Springfield’s commission, where if approved, it’ll become final.
Rose said a local landmark can’t be torn down or changed without the permission of the Springfield Landmarks Commission.
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Rose said the landmarks commission was created about 34 years ago, but has done a poor job of designating important sites in the Springfield community. He’s hopeful the commission will be more active in the next year or so in deciding what’s worth saving and what’s not.
The designation as a local landmark would help to put a site on the regional and national map.
“There’s that identity factor and pride factor as a community. The second is more just dollars and sense. This is going to be a cultural tourism asset for our community,” Rose said.
President of The Gammon House, Dale Henry, said he hopes the landmark designation will expand the amount of programming and regular tours that the museum offers.
“This house is extremely important as a community treasure and as a symbol of African American culture here in Springfield,” Henry said. “We believe that communities that do the best and are the most successful are the communities that embrace and promote diversity and inclusion.”
The issue could go before the city commissioners in as little as two weeks at their next public meeting on Feb. 26.
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