Much has been written about the Underground Railroad in both history books, special publications and in documentary films. Nothing I had seen or read in the past prepared me for an afternoon touring the exhibit "Into the Light: The African American Experience" presented by the Erie County Historical Society at the Watson-Curtze Mansion. In many ways I am glad that I went alone because this allowed me to wonder at my own pace and reflect on past struggles for freedom.
Erie, Pennsylvania's location on Lake Erie and the fact that it was and still is a shipping port made it a natural destination for the former slaves on their journey to freedom in Canada. Many tales and legends have been told and retold over the years of homes and properties being used as 'stations' along the RR. Many local citizens were rumored to be conductors on the RR, but as with many legends hard documentation is not easy to find. Over the years I have had the opportunity to walk some of the routes taken by the slaves as they worked their way to the port of Erie and eventual freedom in Canada.
- One site was a local tavern owned by the shipbuilder who built many of the ships used by the US Navy in the War of 1812. The tavern was located about two blocks from the port. The former slaves were hidden in the fruit cellar below the bar.
- Another site was a personal home on the lake with actual tunnel between the detached garage and the house. Local legends say that the original owner had built the garage near the bluff leading down to the lake.
Whether the stories surrounding these properties are true or not I could almost feel the fear that accompanied the slaves and their conductors on their journey and I always hoped that the ending was a joyous one.
Today while touring the African American Experience exhibit I saw the names of many early African American settlers in Erie. Some of the names have been mentioned many times over the years, others less well known.
- Harry T. Burleigh, composer and arrnger of spirituals
- Sam Jethroe and Willie Grace, Negro League Baseball
- Willie Blanks, fitness & wellness authority
- Steve Galloway, famous dancer who was my former student in middle school
Local families were asked to contribute their own family history for the exhibit. The exhibit runs through June 7, 2009. www.eriecountyhistory.com
Comments(0)