American Revolution patriots honored in Marietta

With Memorial day right around the corner--the day that honors those who gave their lives for this country---it’s only right to honor those who came first.

Local chapters of the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution gathered at Mound Cemetery Thursday to celebrate their ancestors and their pioneering work in helping settle the Northwest territory.

"The northwest territory was settled based on the ordinance of 1787," SAR member Jean Yost said. "It precluded any slavery in the northwest territory, gave rights to women, things that had not been done before.”

Organizers spoke about a new exhibit at Campus Martius Museum and the Marietta College library that ties into historian David McColugh’s new book The Pioneers, where he ranks the northwest ordinance as the third most important document for human rights in history.

"Now a days it’s like we don’t really know anything about our history," Boys Scouts girls troop 207 member Adreama Freeland said. "We don’t really know much about where we grew up. Like, most of my friends did grow up in Marietta, they hardly know any of this and I think it’s very important to continue you to teach us and to get us more involved."

McCullough's book is now available and the exhibit at Campus Martius museum is now open.