DES MOINES, Iowa —

A Des Moines cemetery that was recognized as part of the National Park Service Underground Railroad Network to Freedom received a special honor Saturday morning that organizers hope will educate others and share a piece of history.

Back in 2021, the Woodland Cemetery in Des Moines was formally accepted into the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.

The cemetery is home to the gravesites of 15 underground railroad operatives and freedom seekers.

On Saturday, a special grave marker was dedicated to memoralize that. It says "At rest in Woodland Cemetery are 15 escaped slaves and conductors--all part of the Underground Railroad. They risked everything to claim their liberty or so others could do so".

Ricki King, a genealogist historian, worked with two stude

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