Underground Railroad Itinerary
People of Courage, People of Hope, Seekers of Justice
“…Albany,a city, which from its location on the banks of the Hudson, was the constant resort of fugitiveslaves when traveling in the direction of the North Star…” C. S. Brown
In the 30 years before the Civil War thousands offugitives from slavery passed through Albany on their way to freedom in NewYork State and Canada. Albany, as atransportation hub, was a regular transit point for the UndergroundRailroad. Local activists held a keyrole in the Underground Railroad Network.By examining the stories, and touring the streets where fugitivestraveled, a full day of learning about the Underground Railroad can beaccomplished with a close look at the Capital City’s role in the network forfreedom.
Customized Tours: The sample itinerary below provides a framework intowhich the tour can be presented.Customized tours are available by request and can focus on particularaspects of the many features described below.
Suggested Itinerary -
Orientation: your day willbegin by meeting Paul and Mary Liz Stewart, who are the founders of theUnderground Railroad History Project. Their goal is to share what stories they have learned that honor thememory of fugitives and local abolitionists who opposed the federallysanctioned institution of slavery during the 1830s, 1840s, and 1850s. Paul and Mary Liz will orient you to Albany by providing alecture at the AlbanyVisitors Center.Here you will have the opportunity to listen to a presentation on Albany in the mid 19thcentury. With the rise of the Erie Canal, development of industry, and immigration thisbackground information will provide a context for the story of the UndergroundRailroad and Albany’srole in assisting fugitives from slavery.
Tour: After your group’s orientation atthe Visitors Center, you will then board your coachfor a driving tour of locations, sites, and neighborhoods where UndergroundRailroad activity took place. Thesehistorical places will be highlighted with pictures and examples of artifactsof the period. Sites on the tour mayinclude such places as Israel African Methodist Episcopal Church, which wasdedicated in 1854. 524 Broadway, the NewYork State Women Veterans Memorial, and various other downtown locations thatplayed a key role in the Underground Railroad will also be included in thetour. Paul and Mary Liz will be yourguides to the Underground Railroad locations and provide narration and detailsabout the sites you visit.
Lunch: A lunch for your groupwill be held after the morning tour. Here your group can dine at one of Albany’smany restaurants and eateries, while engaging in discussion with each other, aswell as Paul and Mary Liz, or just relaxing.Locations can be customized depending on the groups’ particularitinerary and dining preferences.
Driving or Walking Tour: theafternoon will include a driving tour (or walking tour, depending on yourgroup’s preference) of different areas pertinent to the Underground Railroadand its participants. At this time Pauland Mary Liz will discuss important figures such as Stephen Myers, Abigail andLydia Mott, Abel Brown, and others. TheStewarts will discuss these key figures and their roles, particularly alongwith other stories that will be told of more than 50 identified fugitives whopassed through Albanyon the road to freedom.
Concluding Presentation: the program will conclude with a detailed analysisof the people, places, and events of the Underground Railroad, Albany, and theoverall time period, which will be presented by Paul and Mary Liz. The Stewarts will also be available to answerany questions that members of the group may have.
Contact For Tour Informationand Group Reservations: Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region, Inc.
Mary Liz and Paul Stewart
P.O. Box 10851
Albany, NY 12201