Zanesville is leading the way in research for the Underground Railroad. The city received a government grant and is working with 11 other Appalachian communities to develop a tourist program to highlight homes that participated in the Underground Railroad. The city hopes to have a program that will connect all 11 towns, so people will tour for a whole day or weekend. Interest in the Underground Railroad has increased the last couple of years because some historic sites, which haven’t been maintained, are bring torn down.