Songs that are two centuries old are about to fill the air again.

The Ohio University Southern Campus Nature Center in partnership with the Wayne National Forest and Lawrence County Historical Museum is presenting Freedom Songs and Stories of the Underground Railroad 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the OUS Nature Center Amphitheater.

"This area is rich in underground railroad heritage, the iron furnace is a big reason for that, and we just wanted to educate people about it," Merri Warden, coordinator for the OUS Nature Center, said.

First up is the story of an iron mistress written by Virginia Bryant and performed by Kay Rader, who works at the Lawrence County Historical Museum.

Susan Taylor will give a "portrayal of a slave singing her sweet songs of freedom," Warden said. She said with the songs will come an explanation of how they were used to reach freedom.

Both presentations will take about an hour, but Warden advises visitors to arrive early.

"Come early for a good seat," she said.

There will be an encore presentation in October, but a date has yet to be set.

The skits are part of the, "Music in the Woods" program every Thursday at the amphitheater. The final concert this season will be from the Ironton High School Varsity Singers Aug. 25.