The House is the home of one of the anti-slavery leaders of the Congregational Church mission in western Iowa. Reverend Hitchcock used his home to assist in the safe passage of fugitive slaves (or Freedom Seekers) through southwestern Iowa on their way east and north to freedom during the mid-19th century.
In 2006, the Secretary of the Interior announced that the Reverend George B. Hitchcock House had been designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL). The National Historic Landmark designation is the highest recognition accorded by our nation to historic properties. These special places embody the actual sites where significant historical events occurred or where prominent Americans worked or lived, and represent the ideas that shaped our nation. NHL designations are an official recognition by the federal government of a historic property’s significance. At the time of designation 2,697 historic places bore this designation.
The Reverend George B. Hitchcock House was restored and tours began in 1992. It is a testament to pioneer life as well as the rich history of the Underground Railroad. It is also on the National Register of Historic Places and has been recognized as a site on the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.
Please visit our Facebook page for the most up to date information & photos https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeBHitchcockHouse
