murpa.org
About Us
Preserving central Illinois history
In 2020, Ted Schierer returned to Metamora to help his father who was struggling with Alzheimer's and stroke trauma. Ted's neighbor was Phil Fischer, owner of the Ranney house, who was also struggling with severe stroke trauma. Over the next 3 years, it became clear that Phil wanted this historically significant house preserved in order to honor the efforts of the Metamora area underground railroad (UGRR) conductors and the freedom seekers. The freedom seekers shared their stories with the conductors as they came through the UGRR network.
In order to renovate the Ranney House for historical preservation and fund UGRR programs, a 501(c)(3) organization was established: Metamora Underground Railroad Preservation Association (MURPA). If we are unable to acquire the Ranney house, donations will be used for UGRR programs and other historical projects in central Illinois.
Future planned activities include sharing progress reports on the acquisition and renovation of the Ranney House, educational events, and fundraising activities.
Meet the Team
Ted Schierer is the founder of MURPA. He has a PhD in molecular biology from Iowa State University. His science training provided valuable research skills which can be applied to a wide variety of areas in including history. Living in England for 3 years provided him with a broader appreciation of the value of historical preservation. Renovation management experience with Mt. Vernon Properties provided him with skills needed to guide renovation projects. His goal is to preserve the stories and historical places related to the underground railroad in central Illinois for future generations.
Jack Weddle is co-director of MURPA and a long-time member of 5 local historical societies. Jack is a lifelong champion of Central Illinois history and one of Metamora’s most dedicated storytellers. A graduate of the University of Illinois (BA) and Illinois State University (MBA), he blends academic training with decades of hands‑on historical research to bring the region’s past to life.
Jack has spent years uncovering the people, places, and events that shaped Woodford County. He is the co‑editor of The Underground Railroad in Metamora, the definitive documentary history of the Underground Railroad in Woodford County and Metamora — a project that reflects his deep commitment to preserving stories of courage, community, and moral conviction.
Jack is a frequent speaker throughout Central Illinois, known for presentations that combine meticulous research with vivid storytelling. His talks explore Metamora’s early development, the transformation of Central Illinois between 1830 and 1850, the hidden networks of the Underground Railroad, and the evolution of Abraham Lincoln’s perspective on slavery. Whether addressing students, civic groups, or fellow historians, Jack’s goal is always the same: to make history feel immediate, human, and alive.
