Literary Landmarks

Haines House. The Haines House served as an Underground Railroad station in Alliance, Ohio beginning around 1853. Its owners, Jonathan Ridgeway Haines and Sarah Grant Haines were Quaker farmers who were active Abolitionists in an area that Underground Railroad historian Wilbur Seibert characterized as “a hotbed of abolition” in his book, “Mysteries of Ohio’s Underground Railroads.”

Harriet Beecher Stowe House. The Harriet Beecher Stowe House is operated as an historical and cultural site, focusing on Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. The site also includes a look into the family, friends, and colleagues of the Beecher-Stowe family, Lane Seminary, and the abolitionist, womens rights and Underground Railroad movements in which these historical figures participated in the 1830’s to 1860’s, as well as African-American history related to these movements.

Malabar Farms. Home of novelist, screenwriter and conservationist Louis Bromfield, an Ohio author.

Paul Laurence Dunbar House. This Italianate turn-of-the-century structure was the final home of the poet Paul Laurence Dunbar. It exhibits his literary treasures, many of his personal items and his family’s furnishings.

Thurber House Museum and Thurber Center. Listed on the National Register of Historic places, Thurber House was the home of author, humorist, and New Yorker cartoonist James Thurber and his family when Thurber was a student at The Ohio State University. Thurber House opened in 1984 as a non-profit literary center and museum of Thurber materials.

Zane Grey Museum. This modern museum has three major exhibit areas. First is the National Road, early America’s busiest land artery to the West. The National Road stretched from Cumberland, MD. to Vandalia, IL. Second is Zane Grey, the “Father of the Adult Western.” The Zanesville author wrote more than 80 books. His study is recreated plus many manuscripts and other memorabilia are displayed. Finally, a central portion of the museum is devoted to Ohio art pottery.