Black History is a topic spoke of in February but is seldom placed in perspective. By reducing its concentration to a particular month and deifying the usual suspects much is lost in terms of education. Ask anyone the extent of his or her knowledge regarding Black History and note the silence. Black History, American History or any other kind of history is entwined and should be studied continuously. The parallel of peoples is greatly underestimated, yet is the key that unlocks the door to understanding. The exploration of Black History exposes American History that is vastly important to those who love her. Here in South East Ohio we need look no further than ourselves to explore history�s shadows. True, �It takes a village to raise a child�, and as history has taught it is the elder of the village whom we must consult when dealing in matters of extreme importance. Therefore the elder was sought and graciously granted an interview upon his 104^th birthday, February 2^nd, 2002.

 Frank �Doc� Chandler was born Feb 2nd 1898 at Rainbow (Lowell, Washington County, Ohio). He is the son of Joshua Jr. Chandler and Lillian �Lillie� Burke. His maternal Grand Parents were James and Josephine (Armstrong) Burke. His maternal Great-Grandparents were Joseph and Hanna Burke who in November of 1854 crossed the Ohio River along with their 11 children at Newport, Washington County, Ohio...into freedom. Frank � Doc� Chandler�s Maternal Great-Great Grandmother was Winifred� Winnie� Burke, enslaved on the Carter Plantation (Virginia). She was freed (approx. 1789) by Robert Carter lll as part of the largest mass emancipation of Chattel slaves in American History. Winnie Burke had been brought from the Ibo Culture of West Africa (early 1600�s).

Today Frank �Doc� Chandler lives in Canton Ohio and speaks fondly of his life and that of South East Ohio when he recalls the little schoolhouse in the country. The Cedar Ridge Schoolhouse still stands today and bares witness to the tremendous legacy of this special man and the multiracial forefathers of South East Ohio. Included are surnames such as, Honesty, Mayle, Harris, Dalton, Curtis, Norris, Harris and others. Their descendants we meet daily, right here in Zanesville.

With the blessing of the elder Frank �Doc� Chandler, the Information Technology Board of Appalachia will offer a bus tour of the Cedar Ridge School House at Rainbow/Lowell in Washington County, March 9^{th .}. A stop will be made at the McConnelsville Opera House in Morgan County, where slaves reportedly hid in route to freedom. Returning will require a look at Watertown, Barlow, Bartlett, Pennsville and Chesterhill. It will be an unprecedented educational community journey. One that indeed brings perspective to the relevancy of Black History in Zanesville, Ohio and America. When assured of the intent to visit his old neighborhood, Mr. Chandler smiled and said, �Yes, take a look!�

The tour will be free but donations are accepted and reservations are a must. For more information contact the ITB at 450-7527 or Advanced Coach at 454-0569. A copy of the Frank �Doc� Chandler Public service commercial is available at minimal cost. For Historical reference seek �Multicultural Pioneers� (Benjamin F. Bain), �The River Jordan� (Henry Burke & Dick Croy), �Zanesville 200 Years�(Times Recorder) or �Y Bridge City�(Norris Sneider).

Itinerary