I live just a couple of miles from the Ohio River, and during the time of slavery, the river represented the border between freedom and slavery. This painting honors John P Parker, who lived just 7 miles from my home in Ripley, Ohio. John was born into slavery, but learned to read, bought his freedom, owned his own business in Ripley, Ohio and helped hundreds of slaves cross the river to be free.
His home is depicted on the far left of the painting.
Happy Juneteenth Everyone!
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