(Original recording made in 2002)
I have interviewed Ann Hagedorn a number of times over the years. Twenty years ago we had our first conversation when she published her book Beyond the River: The Untold Story of the Heroes of the Underground Railroad. She came through the area on book tour that day. She had an event that night in Dayton. It was a homecoming of sorts, Hagedorn grew up in Oakwood.
The author immersed herself in the history of the Ohio river town of Ripley to write this book. If I had to pick my favorite interview out of those that we have done I would have to pick this one. It's a keeper.
The Book Nook on WYSO is presented by the Greene County Public Library with additional support from Washington-Centerville Public Library, Clark County Public Library, Dayton Metro Library, and Wright Memorial Public Library.