VANDALIA — The Underground Railroad Free Press has awarded the Underground Railroad Society of Cass County the 2019 Free Press Prize for Preservation in the contemporary international Underground Railroad Community. The prize was awarded in recognition and appreciation of the society’s restoration of two Underground Railroad safe-houses and two other Underground Railroad-related sites in Cass County.

“In its restoration work, the Underground Railroad Society of Cass County has set a remarkable example of organizing, fundraising and management by a community nonprofit organization, a model for other Underground Railroad sites, groups and programs to successfully follow,” said Peter H. Michael, publisher of Underground Railroad Free Press. “This is a nation-leading example of how to approach restoration of historically important old buildings, involving good coordination of leadership, financing and planning.”

The prize was announced in the November issue of Underground Railroad Free Press.

Free Press annually awards the Free Press Prizes for leadership, preservation and advancement of knowledge. Regarded as the top honors in the international Underground Railroad community. Underground Railroad Free Press Lynx serves as the central registry of Underground Railroad sites and programs, and datebook as the central calendar of Underground Railroad events, officials said.

The bimonthly publication reaches an estimated 100,000 readers and is North America’s most read Underground Railroad news publication.