Rankin House revisiting historic times

RIPLEY, Ohio | From the days when runaway slaves sought a beacon of hope at his home above the Ohio River, to years of changes and plans for restoration, the time to tell the story of the late Rev. John Rankin and his part in history is near.

"He preached anti- slavery from his pulpit," said Betty Campbell, Ripley Heritage Incorporated volunteer site manager for the Rankin House historic site, during a media tour of the restoration process at the site. "... stressing you cannot own another human."

The Rankin family lived in the home from 1829-1866.

In 1938, Ohio Historic Society, now known as Ohio History Connection, acquired the site.

In 1981 it turned over management of the site to Ripley Heritage Incorporated, which has worked with OHC to secure grants and research programs to clarify the design and use of each area of the house, and get the restoration done.

Though other phases of the project have gone on over many years, the hard core restoration, with research into everything from paint and stenciling to shutter placement, began about a year ago and is set to be completed by re-dedication of the site on Aug. 23.

On that day the house will be open, free to the public, with re-dedication ceremonies at 11 a.m.

The most amazing find in the project is the section of original stenciling in Rankin's bedroom/study, officials said.

Once the stenciling was ready to be recreated, it took about two and half weeks to complete the process, said Kris Lemon, artist and owner of Deco Works which is completing the wall decor.

"This setting is fabulous," Lemon said.

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Rankin House revisiting historic times