KANSAS CITY, KS – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), the author of the bill, now law, designating the Quindaro Townsite a National Commemorative Site today made the following remarks at the dedication ceremony:
 

Thank you for the opportunity to be here today and partake in this momentous celebration of the Quindaro Townsite. The significance of Quindaro is one of particular importance to me. My great grandfathers were frontier newspapermen and outspoken abolitionists in Kansas during the mid-1800s. They played a prominent role, just like Quindaro, during this chapter in our nation’s history.

We have heard from many of the individuals who helped elevate Quindaro to a National Commemorative Site. Few individuals are as dedicated to preserving Quindaro’s history more than Marvin Robinson.  Marvin, we would not be here today, celebrating this site, without your unwavering commitment to sharing the Quindaro’s story.

I would also like to recognize Freedom’s Frontier. You mobilized the community support and were an essential resource throughout the legislative process.

Additionally, it must be mentioned that this dedication would not have been possible without the initial work of Kevin Yoder. Kevin led the charge of recognizing Quindaro in legislation, introducing the Quindaro Townsite National Commemorative Site Act in the House of Representatives in 2018.

While our efforts were not successful within the first year, thanks to Kevin’s initial work, I was able to champion the Senate effort to recognize Quindaro—with the legislation successfully signed into law in March.

The story of the Quindaro Townsite provides a glimpse at several overlapping historical themes that contribute to the larger story of our nation. During the prime years of the town’s life, African American, Native American, Exploration and Settlement history all intertwined.

Located in Kansas yet close to the slave-owning state across the river, the town served as a temporary shelter to those seeking freedom. The town’s residents, surrounding landowners and Native Americans all worked together to help many slaves to freedom.

After a period of transition following the Civil War, and the departure of many of its residents, Quindaro became an abandoned community. Thanks to many individuals who helped unearth and recognize its historical significance, the town’s ruins were saved and Quindaro’s story lives on to be shared with future generations.

We have been in close communication with the National Park Service and they stand ready to work with the community in the effort to further preserve and elevate recognition of the Quindaro Townsite, an essential piece of Kansas history.

In March, President Donald Trump signed a public lands package into law that included language authored by Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) to designate the historic Quindaro Townsite a National Commemorative Site. Senator Roberts introduced this legislation last year alongside former Rep. Kevin Yoder’s (R-Kan.) companion bill in the House. Both the Senate and House passed this legislation earlier this year.   

Quindaro was founded by abolitionists in 1857 and became a Free State port of entry and stop on the Underground Railroad. The town provided a route for slaves to escape from Missouri and helped stop slavery from spreading west. Quindaro was abandoned and became overgrown, but was rediscovered during an archaeological dig in the 1980s.

The Quindaro Townsite is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Designating the site as a National Commemorative Site will help foster more investment and preservation at the site.  

The Quindaro Underground Railroad Museum, currently houses the artifacts of the townsite. It is currently a part of the Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area. In 2005, Senator Roberts and then Senator Sam Brownback introduced legislation, signed into law, to establish the Heritage Area.

Designating Quindaro as a National Commemorative Site is supported by the following groups: The Quindaro Ruins/ Underground Railroad- Exercise 2019, Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area, University of Missouri - Kansas City History Department and Center for Midwestern Studies and Johnson County Community College.