Ohioans are proud of their state’s history as a vital component of the Underground Railroad. That’s why it is exciting to learn from Gov. Mike DeWine, the state Department of Development and TourismOhio that the Ohio Historical Underground Railroad Trail is expanding.

There are now 48 stops on the trail, with the latest additions including the John Gee Black Historical Center in Gallipolis, Lucy Depp Park in Powell, the Gabriel Smith Memorial Gateway to Freedom Display at the Preble County District Library in Eaton and the Black Heritage Library and Multicultural Center in Findlay.

Many of the sites are also part of the Appalachian Freedom Heritage tour.

It’s an important part of the state’s history. In fact, the General Assembly has supported $500 million to be invested in the Appalachian Community Grants Program that is helping to make some of these sites not just important tourist destinations, but educational opportunities.

“The Underground Railroad isn’t just one story, it’s hundreds of stories, told in every corner of Ohio,” said Sarah Wickham, the state’s tourism director. “This trail lets visitors piece those stories together, whether they’re standing on the banks of the Ohio River in Ripley or at a museum in Gallipolis. It’s history you can experience, not just read about.”

Experiencing the degree to which Ohio has not just valued but fought for freedom should be truly breath-taking for those who embark on the journey.

That mustn’t be a revelation only for outsiders. Ohioans also should take advantage of the opportunity presented by the trail.

There are a couple of stops in our area. One is the Mount Pleasant Underground Railroad Historic District. The village contained multiple Underground Railroad stops and represented a multiracial community of people working together to assist freedom seekers. There are more than 40 historic buildings still standing, including the Quaker Yearly Meeting House.

Flushing, meanwhile, is the home of the Underground Railroad Museum, which was founded in 1993 by the late John Mattox.

It preserves the past with exhibits portraying the history of the Underground Railroad in Ohio and life in the 1800s.

“We are proud that Ohio played such a pivotal role in the Underground Railroad,” DeWine said. “Through this trail, we are inviting the world to see the rich history that makes Ohio such a special place to explore.”

As the Ohio Department of Development put it, the expansion of the trail during this International Underground Railroad Month honors “the courage of freedom seekers and the communities that helped them.”

Ohio is rich in history — explore the trail and find out for yourself.