WASHINGTON, DC – President Donald Trump today signed a 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.

“I’m glad to see the Quindaro Townsite is finally receiving the historic designation it deserves,” said Sen. Roberts. “I look forward to seeing more investment and preservation at the site, so our future generations of Kansans can learn about the prominent role Quindaro played in stopping the spread of slavery during the 1800s.”

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.

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