Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Patricia J. Bass, President
“Every voice, every action, every choice matters. The Johnson House teaches us that freedom is built one courageous step at a time.”
Vice President (vacant)
TBD
Sheila Bennett, Secretary
“History lives here—not as relics in glass, but as reminders that justice requires daily commitment and collective will.”
Mary Lawton, Treasurer
“The Johnson House story proves that hope is not passive. It is an act of will, carried forward by people willing to stand against the tide.”
Board Members
Harriete Z. Armstrong
“The Johnson House stands as a testament to courage, community, and connection across generations. I’m honored to help preserve that legacy and ensure its lessons guide our shared future.”
Michael S. Cogbill
“Walking in the footsteps of freedom seekers here reminds me that history isn’t meant to be preserved quietly—it’s meant to ignite action, empathy, and justice in us all.”
Marybeth Gonzales
“This house showed that ordinary people—bound by love and conviction—can change the course of history. As a Board member, I’m committed to making sure their story empowers us today.”
Dr. Deborah Clements Johnson
“In every beam and chamber lies a story of daring and resilience. My work with the Johnson House is about honoring that spirit—and lighting a path for future generations.”
Tiara Jones-Holmes, CRNP
“The Underground Railroad’s history is living proof that community solidarity moves mountains. Being on the Board is my way of carrying that spirit forward into today’s fight for justice.”
Gail D. Montgomery-Watson
“The Johnson family’s work bridged divides—racial, cultural, and generational. That mission sustains my dedication as a Board member: to build bridges that endure.”
David A. Weathington
“This house is both an archive of courage and an invitation to act. My role here is to steward that invitation—so visitors leave knowing they too can be catalysts for change.”
Marcella W. Travagline, Esq.
“Behind every hiding place and secret passage is a story of bravery, sacrifice, and hope. It’s my honor to help share those stories and ensure they inspire new defenders of freedom.”
Jaime Meekins
“Serving this historic site is more than preserving the past—it’s about equipping our community to write the next chapter of freedom.”
Advisory Committee
Darell Germain
David Gould
Dominique Casimir, Esq.
Reverend Marshall Mitchell
Dr. Erica Armstrong Dunbar
Ginny Christiansen
Christopher Bartlett
Robin Bass
Michael Moore
Katherine Kaman
Michael Buckley
Staff
Cornelia Swinson, Executive Director
“ENSURING THE JOHNSON HOUSE CONTINUES TO INSPIRE FUTURE GENERATIONS. KEEPING THE MEMORY OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD ALIVE.”
Staff Bio (Coming Soon)