Alex standing in front of her presentation poster

Unearthing forgotten histories: Researching abolitionist roots in the rural midwest

For years, Salem Township seemed like just another small farming community—until researcher Alex Klaus uncovered its deep ties to abolitionist movements and Black settlement. Supported by the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) at Wayne State, her work explores the paradox of communities that championed anti-slavery efforts yet later excluded Black residents. By digging into census records, historical archives and local narratives, Klaus helps shed light on a complex past that still shapes these towns today.

I grew up in Salem Township and didn't pay much attention to the small farming community I called home. That changed when I discovered that many abolitionists once inhabited the township, which has been home to generations of Black families who played a significant role in building the community. While I was aware of the abolitionist histories of Ann Arbor and Detroit, I became curious about similar movements in communities like mine.

I also learned about a similar history in Vermilion County, Illinois, where my family has lived for over a century. Both were small rural Midwest farming communities with abolitionist movements and eventually became home to Black settlers for many years. Sign that says SAMUEL DUTTON and A. A. COPE-LAND are authorized to settle all accounts of the Michigan Freeman; to receive subscriptions to the Signal of Liberty, and to collect funds for the Michigan State Anti-Slavery Society. G. Beckley, Ch'mn. Ex. Com. Ann Arbor, June 16, 1841

My research on Midwestern sundown towns showed me that a history of abolitionism, anti-slavery sentiment and Black settlement did not guarantee the absence of racism-based discrimination. Some communities in Vermilion County remained completely white, such as Ridge Farm, despite the town's founder arguably being one of the area's biggest advocates for abolition.

The surrounding communities of Salem Township had no Black residents until only a few decades ago. Intrigued, I began to explore the abolitionist histories of both communities in my free time. I delved into census records, sifted through old newspapers, researched the families involved and connected with the history of both communities.

When I transferred to Wayne State in 2022, I discovered that I could develop a formal research project based on my interests. I began to expand my knowledge of the scholarship on the abolitionist and anti-slavery movements and explored available archival collections. With the support of the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Project grant and guidance from Dr. Kidada Williams, I formulated my research agenda.

Prior to this, in HIS 3000, I had learned how to identify a topic, create a research plan, gather, organize and analyze evidence and see a project through to completion. However, my research on abolitionism in small rural Midwest communities was my passion project, which made it particularly meaningful. The experience I gained will be valuable for my future research and career.

I learned how to write a grant proposal, gather and analyze even larger amounts of evidence and coordinate trips to the archives and local historical societies, including those out of state. Most importantly, I learned more about the different abolitionist and anti-slavery movements in the United States and the underlying racism amongst some white people that tended to accompany these movements and how to communicate my findings to a non-academic audience.

While my UROP experience developed my historical research skills, I also learned more about the communities my family and I have lived in. As an urban studies major, I’ve always had a natural curiosity about why cities and towns are the way they are, which history often explains. This grant allowed me to dig deeper into that curiosity and teach my community about the fascinating history that was once unknown. Sign that says Well Done Salem! The entire Liberty ticket was elected in this town by a majority of 29, the average Democratic vote being 64, the Liberty 93. On Supervisor, the vote for, D. Pomeroy, Liberty, was 90: Democratic, 69. No ticket was put in nomination by the Whigs. No License was carried as a matter of course.

I later presented this research at Wayne State’s Warrior Scholars conference in March and again at Oakland University’s Political Science Research Symposium in April. Given my passion for this topic, I enjoyed sharing the fruits of my labor with those interested in my research. I am also sharing my work with local historical societies, hoping to educate others about the history I uncovered.

If you have a historical topic that has caught your interest like I did, I highly recommend pursuing a UROP grant to research it further. You will gain valuable research experience and hopefully make some strong connections along the way. I know I did!