They fought against the French, you would think then, that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania would not be as anti-American, (my new phraseology) for anti-Black as they are. This a battleground state for Obama, rich in history yet, a stubborn fear persists. Pittsburgh has a history, not to be marred further by acts of the Republicans which seem very anti-American.
The Underground Railroad was undoubtedly one of the most significant forms of activism in our nation's history. It was broad in its reach, encompassing the United States and beyond, and profound in its meaning for a nation entwined in the sale of human life. Yet, that history, by its very secretive nature, is a difficult one to reveal.
Western Pennsylvania was a major thoroughfare for enslaved peoples seeking freedom. They followed routes that were carved by nature in rivers, streams and mountains, traveling mostly on foot, with an occasional ride in hidden compartments of wagons and other forms of transportation. Their numbers are not certain as formal records were not kept and few informal ones remain. Some documents written by those who assisted—sometimes referred to as the "conductors"—in this underground process do survive giving some indication of what those traveling on the railroad endured. Some publications written by, or for, those who managed to survive to secure their freedom, also exist.
Free people of African descent who lived in the area were also affected by the Fugitive slave laws, fleeing their homes as they faced the possibility of becoming enslaved. Still others became the voice of social change and self-empowerment for all Blacks of the era and beyond. The history is unique and boundless.
The Quest For Freedom Map (PDF) is a guide to some of that history through local and regional historical organizations. Whether a documented Underground Railroad site, an institution committed to telling the story to its visitors through exhibits and programs, a location offering access to genealogical and research tools, or a combination of these, this information will help you to share in the amazing history that is the Underground Railroad in Western Pennsylvania.
Posted By: Marta Fernandez
Friday, October 24th 2008 at 10:33PM
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