Event features professor’s research on Underground Railroad

Nedra Frodge spent two years researching historical landmarks used in the Underground Railroad.

The associate art professor will share her research at a Soup and Substance event from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Bovee University Center Gold Room.

The event is being sponsored by the Multicultural Education Center and Minority Student Services as part of Black History Month.

Multicultural Education Center Director Ulana Klymyshyn said Frodge’s project shows both the historical and modern aspects of slavery.

“She traveled to sites of the Underground Railroad and photographed houses and buildings associated with it,” she said. “What is interesting is that each image provides historical information and how slavery is still going on today.”

Frodge visited locations all over northern Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan and plans to venture into Ontario to visit places where former slaves settled.

“I became obsessed with my camera,” Frodge said. “It was surprising to see the community so involved and supportive by keeping what was going on to themselves.”

The showcase currently fills the walls of the Multicultural Education Center.

Each individual frame includes an image of the location or person involved, a cursive text providing historical background and regular text involving current information.

Director of Gay and Lesbian Programs Ana Guerriero, a frequent Soup and Substance participant, said the display was amazing.

“It brought up so much emotion, and it targets different areas,” she said. “I personally am looking forward to this event because the speaker is from CMU that has done the research.”

Frodge will discuss her findings on the Underground Railroad and the truth of slavery still taking place all over the world.

“I tried to get what was fascinating,” Frodge said. “It is mainly going to be a historical storytelling event about the people and places.”

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