From student to steward: OHIO Eastern alumna leads Underground Railroad Museum into new era

Photo of a female with long black hair standing behind a wooden podium, next to a projection screen that show a slide stating "Black Women in History"

Kristina Estle’s path to becoming a historian was anything but traditional.

What began as a college journey rooted in athletics ultimately evolved into a life devoted to preserving and sharing the stories of the past. Now the museum director of the in Belmont County, Estle leads with both passion and purpose, a professional calling deeply connected to her experiences at .

Rediscovering purpose through education

White female with long brown curly hair sitting behind a table that has books propped up in book stands

Estle’s college career began at the University of Cincinnati, where she attended on an athletic scholarship. But life took an unexpected turn during her junior year when she learned she was expecting her first child.

“I stepped away from school,” she said. “Nine years and another child later, I returned to ��Ƶ Eastern to finish my degree.”

Reentering the classroom marked a turning point for Estle.

“Being back in an academic environment reignited my passion for learning, and I discovered how much I love history,” said Estle. As she dove into her coursework, she found joy in uncovering stories from the past and understanding their impact on the present.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in history and is now preparing to apply to OHIO’s doctoral program in history this winter. What began as a goal to complete her degree quickly evolved into a lifelong passion, nurtured by inspiring professors and a supportive academic community at OHIO Eastern.

Professors who made a difference

“Dr. David Castle was by far my favorite teacher and sparked a love of history in me,” Estle said. “I had avoided American history like the plague, and now I can’t get enough of it.”

That passion came to life in a junior composition course, where an assignment led her to interview Dr. John Mattox, the late founder of the Underground Railroad Museum. What began as a simple class project opened the door to a new calling.

“If I wouldn’t have taken that class, I would have never interviewed Dr. Mattox,” Estle said. “That led to an internship, which turned into volunteering, and eventually, I began running the museum. It’s been over six years now.”

Leading a historic transition

Today, Estle is at the forefront of one of the most transformative moments in the Underground Railroad Museum’s history. With the help of $3.9 million in state capital budget funding, the museum is preparing to relocate from its long-time home in Flushing to the historic Black Horse Inn in Morristown. The funding, part of a larger investment in Ohio’s cultural and historical institutions, will support critical renovations, structural stabilization and the development of expanded exhibit space.

Two story red brick building, with a black awning over the entrance and a large black iron horse mounted near the entrance

The , a mid-19th-century stagecoach stop located in the heart of , offers increased visibility, accessibility, and room for growth. The move is expected to allow the museum to better accommodate school groups, host public programs, and showcase a broader range of artifacts and stories connected to the Underground Railroad in southeastern Ohio.

“The new space gives us an opportunity not just to preserve history, but to bring it to life in a more immersive and accessible way,” Estle said.

She is also working to ensure OHIO students and community members remain part of the museum’s mission. Estle offers student internships and volunteer opportunities and encourages others to explore experiential learning.

The power of internships

“Internships bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world,” she said. “That’s exactly what happened for me, and I’m passionate about creating those same opportunities for others.”

A campus that felt like home

Reflecting on her experience at OHIO Eastern, Estle described the campus as a place that truly supported her growth both academically and personally. One space that left a lasting impression was the library.

“I loved the library,” she said. “There’s some kind of studious magic that floats in the air there. It’s a special feeling.”

That quiet, focused environment, combined with supportive faculty and smaller class sizes, helped her thrive academically and personally. For Estle, OHIO Eastern wasn’t just where she completed her degree it was where she rediscovered her direction.

Advice for future Bobcats

Estle encourages prospective students to visit the campus and see what ��Ƶ Eastern has to offer.

“OHIO Eastern offers so much more than people realize. I highly recommend visiting or attending an event. Once you experience the campus, you’ll be hooked.”

From student to scholar, Estle’s journey shows that life’s detours can lead to meaningful destinations, especially when paired with curiosity, opportunity and the support of a community like OHIO Eastern.

For more information about internship or volunteer opportunities at the Underground Railroad Museum, contact Kristina Estle at director@ugrrm.org.

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