Tracing the footsteps to freedom in Pennsylvania can be quite the journey. Fortunately, the regions throughout the state provide helpful links documenting the events taking place throughout the year. Read more about them.
Articles
Western Pennsylvania: A Pivotal Stop on the UndergroundRailroad (223 KB PDF)
Freedom seekers to western PA were aided by anti-slavery activists, who provided food, shelter and helped send them safely to their next location.
By Samuel W. Black
Curator of African American Collections
Courtesy of Senator John Heinz History Center
Martin Delany: Pittsburgh’s Forgotten Hero of the Underground Railroad and Civil War (250 KB PDF)
Learn about the first African American field officer in the United States Army, serving in the Civil War, who was also considered “the chief superintendent” of the Underground Railroad in Pennsylvania.
By Samuel W. Black
Curator of African American Collections
Courtesy of Senator John Heinz History Center
Pennsylvania’s Commitment to Preserving Heritage and Continuing the Dialogue of Freedom Through the Written Word (260 KB PDF)
From African American Poet Frances Watkins Harper to Martin Delany, founder and publisher of The Mystery newspaper, the written word of Pennsylvanians during the Civil War era illustrates a rich history full of debate both for and against slavery.
By Lenwood Sloan
Director of Cultural and Heritage Tourism Program for the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development Reprinted with permission.
Forgotten Step Toward Freedom (259 KB PDF)
Exploring the forgotten milestone of the 200th anniversary of the end of slavery, and the role the British played in helping the ban.
By Eric Foner
Courtesy New York Times
The Land of Lincoln (1.5 MB PDF)
Take a tour of Gettysburg and learn about Abraham Lincoln—the places he dined, visited and where he delivered his infamous Gettysburg Address.
By Sandy Hingston
Courtesy Pennsylvania Pursuits
Retracing the Steps to Freedom (448 KB PDF)
African-American freedom marchers returned to town to commemorate the release of the last American slaves, with Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Hamilton as honorees. By Jon Rutter
Courtesy Intelligencer Journal
At Wheatland, a Chance to ‘Live & Learn’ (365 KB PDF)
Lancaster Live & Learn weekend encourages exploring Civil War and Underground Railroad history through book discussions and a reception where guests mingled with period players. By Larry Alexander
Courtesy Intelligencer Journal
