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The Underground Railroad
Slavery was legal in all of the original 13 colonies. After the American Revolution, many of the northern states gradually moved to emancipate their enslaved population, creating a divide between slavery in the South and the Free States in the North. Around 1800, an informal network of “safe houses,” “conductors” and “abolitionists” began actively to resist the enslavement of African Americans in the South. This network eventually became known as the Underground Railroad. This Underground Railroad borrowed terms from its namesake, such as “station,” “conductor,” and “passenger,” a reflection of the growth and interest in the technology of the railroad in the United States.
The Underground Railroad had a diverse constituency focused on the common goal of helping others escape to freedom. The clandestine network that made up the Underground Railroad had several branches extending all the way from the Deep South and Texas to states and territories where slavery had been prohibited. The men, women, and children who escaped often obtained help and protection from free Blacks, whites, Native Americans—and other slaves—who acted as conductors and provided food and shelter along the way. Enslaved African Americans were guided in their escape through encoded songs, direction from helpful individuals and by navigating their way using the stars and constellations in the nighttime sky. While others actively worked to free individuals, there were those who worked tirelessly to inform the public of the evils of slavery. These Black and white abolitionists created newspapers addressed large gatherings on behalf of those African Americans who had escaped slavery, wrote narratives and spoke about their experience as former bondswomen or bondsmen.
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is located on the banks of the Ohio River—the historic dividing line between North and South, slave and Free states. Our location honors this major Underground Railroad crossing point and illuminates the stories of individuals, some known, some anonymous, who helped support the courageous acts of self liberation of those who escaped from slavery. This 19th century freedom movement challenged the way Americans viewed slavery and freedom, and its lessons in courage, cooperation and perseverance resonate today.
Timeline
A list of historic dates along the path to abolition.
Freedom Stations
The Freedom Stations Program is a national outreach program linking historic Underground Railroad sites, research centers, university library collections, and museums engaged in Underground Railroad and slavery era research, historic preservation through the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
Passage to Freedom
A new website, PassageToFreedomOhio.org, enables visitors to access detailed information about Ohio's many Underground Railroad sites and plan trips using downloadable maps that show nearby attractions, restaurants, lodging choices and regional points of interest.
Network to Freedom
In 1998 the Freedom Center and the National Park Service (NPS) signed a cooperative agreement to become partners in the effort to make the history and stories of the Underground Railroad available to the widest possible audience. These NPS sites provide general background information, lists of documented sites, and case studies of individuals who escaped to freedom. Today, the National Park Service, through shared leadership with local, state, and federal entities, as well as interested individuals and organizations operates the Network to Freedom which will:
- promote programs and partnerships to commemorate
- preserve sites and other resources associated with, and
- educate the public about the historical significance of the UGRR.
Additional Resources
A good source for updated information on Underground Railroad events, research and activities is available through an online publication called Underground Railroad Free Press. Another site brings together information and links to Underground Railroad organizations, large and small, in the United States and Canada.
