Reflections on the Railroad
Journal entries from trip participants, posted from the road...

"I am amazed the sixth and seventh generation families are telling the story of their ancestors' determination to succeed when they reached freedom."

"The visit to the Michigan Street Baptist Church continues to show us the important role of the Afro-American Church in lives of enslaved people. . . . Students will learn that the UGRR invovled black, white, and red Americans working to help enslaved people reach freedom."

"I am still amazed at the secretive network on the UGRR used to help the enslaved escape the cruelty and brutality of slavery."

"Urban renewal has decimated many African American historical sites."

"[I feel] jubilant, amazed, hopeful that the UGRR will take wings in the U.S."

"I learned that the churches are the better keepers of our history than the museums. Churches preserve things in their natural state while museums have bits and pieces here and there and try to put it together to make sense through words."

"After thinking about the past few days and starting to digest all that has been said to me, I think the most important thing I've learned is that family comes first and yesterday's events in your families' lives should be accounted for."

"It was a privilege to occupy the church where Harriet Tubman worked. . . . I will be able to retell the stories, to personalize Ms. Tubman, to show her faith, and how many times she escaped capture, by the grace of God."

The "Footsteps to Freedom 1999" Route

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