‘Their way to freedom’: Mayhew Cabin reopens years after 2019 flooding

The 2019 flood devastated many local communities, including Nebraska City — home to a stop on the Underground Railroad. For the last seven years, the Mayhew Cabin has sat empty and damaged.”I think the costliest thing for that flood was the loss of this as a point of reference, as a point of pride for this community,” Doug Kreifels, treasurer of the Mayhew Cabin Foundation, said.Legislative bills tried to get funding for repairs, but not all of those passed. That’s when the Mayhew Cabin Foundation stepped in. After years of debating with the city about responsibility, the nonprofit knew they had to take the first step.Previous coverage: Nebraska Legislature fight to save historic Underground Railroad siteKreifels said they brough on Butch Bovier, the carpenter who originally helped restore the cabin 20 years ago. He and his team replaced rotten logs, put on a new roof and more.”Cellar doors that led down to the basement and fixed our front doorstep,” Kreifels said, “In general, our first phase of focus was to preserve the cabin.”Those same doors welcomed abolitionists and freedom seekers, including famed abolitionist John Brown. Enslaved people would escape through a tunnel and into John Brown’s cave. Among them were Sam and Jane Harper, the third great-grandparents of Darryl Hogan.”My ancestors were on their way to freedom when they came to this cabin, to start a new life,” Hogan, president of the Mayhew Cabin Foundation, said. “Their life and how they ended up had a great impact on me because I may not be here if it weren’t for them and that journey that they took and their bravery.”The foundation is excited to have visitors learn. Hogan said knowing history is an important piece of establishing identity.”Some people had their live their lives in fear and hiding and also through the generosity of others who were able to help them along the way,” Kreifels said.”If you don’t have a good understanding of your history, you’re either going to be ignorant of who we are as a people, or you’re going to repeat some of the other things that we never should have done,” Hogan said.The foundation plans to continue restoration on John Brown’s Cave and the neighboring museum throughout the next year. Learn how to book a visit, volunteer or donate to the Mayhew Cabin Foundation on its website. To see other historical places linked to the Underground Railroad in Nebraska and Iowa, click here.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |