In 2001, The Haines House, one of the last remaining Underground Railroad sites, was in danger of being forgotten. A passionate group of Alliance residents was determined to save the house to keep history alive. With the leadership of Evelyn Brown, Jessie Harry, Mary Jo Hepler, Gordon Harrison, Robb Hyde, Martha McClaugherty, Virginia Proctor, and Patricia Sacha, the Alliance Area Preservation Society (AAPS) was born, with a mission to protect the city’s architectural heritage and the stories behind it.
“Preservation is most powerful when it connects people,” said Dalton Rininger Kline, Alliance Area Preservation Society President. That belief drives collaborations like the 3 Families project with the Alliance Historical Society and Castle Crusaders, and keeps volunteers, neighbors, and history lovers engaged in saving history together.
Today, the Haines House is more than a preserved building. It’s a reminder of Ridgeway and Sarah Haines, who risked their lives to help enslaved people find freedom. Inside the Haines House Underground Railroad Museum, visitors don’t just learn about history; they experience it. Children walk the same halls where those seeking freedom once hid, turning what might have been another classroom lesson into something unforgettable.
Recently, Alliance Area Preservation Society took an important step to secure its mission for generations to come. With community support, they established an Agency Endowment Fund through the Greater Alliance Foundation. The idea was inspired in part by the incredible generosity that poured in after the passing of Ann Hendel, a beloved leader in education and volunteer programs. “We wanted to honor Ann’s legacy in a way that would last, while building a forever fund for the Haines House,” reflected Dalton.
Another way they are partnering with GAF is the Together Fund. Through this fund, their donations can grow even more with a 5% match from GAF, giving supporters the confidence that their gifts stretch further. “Historic preservation requires ongoing care,” Dalton explains. “These funds ensure the Haines House stays open, remains true to its history, and expands our educational impact, not only in Alliance, but across the region and beyond.”
Looking ahead, Alliance Area Preservation Society is setting its sights on restoring the heavily deteriorating historic portico of the Haines House, an essential next step in preserving this Underground Railroad landmark for future generations.