Reflections on the Railroad
Journal entries from trip participants, posted from the road...
Reflection
Not knowing what to expect, and very apprehensive, I started this trip with all kinds of unanswered questions. What was to be the objective? What was the schedule? Who was going with me? What was expected of me?
A layover at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport gave me the opportunity to meet five other, all with the same questions. We quickly developed a bond of uncertainty. Luck for us. There was a 7 p.m. meeting scheduled. The meeting started me off filling me with dread: write this daily, keep notes of that, sign up for reports, learn to use a palm recorder, etc. etc. Then the tour director “Miss Glo” spoke. What a wonderful sense of humor! We started to relax. Then came Dr. Laura. By the time she was done we were all laughing so hard it was difficult to stay in our seats. This humorous way of giving me all the information I would was perfect for starting the trip.
Reflections of Day One
We started out at the Cincinnati Library. There I discovered from primary documents that the events in the movie BELOVED were true. A woman killed her children rather than have them return to slavery. We also visited Scottsboro, a Quaker village that is believed to have assisted close to 2000 freedom fighters. The only trouble experienced in that area was by the Quaker inhabitants, one of whom was a district court judge sworn to uphold the law. In Scottsboro we also visited a sight that was believed to be a station. in the far corner of the cellar was a tiny crawl space leading to a small room. It's amazing to think that others had to depend on strangers for their lives, trust people they never met, running night to night through dense forest an underbrush never knowing what they would find. These people had no choice but to trust in God.
First Stop—Library of Hamilton County
Participants in the UGGRR Tour are given the opportunity to dig up their roots. The library houses an extensive collection of genealogical archival records. Invaluable resources such as Biographical Materials, Census Records, Military Records, Items on Microfilm, and Newspapers are all available to the average citizen.
In addition to these resources the library also serves as a host for local artist to display their work. The library is currently featuring the work of Alice Batternum. Can you say Decoupage? Alice specializes in the art of permanently decorating surfaces such as boxes, drawers, and containers with paper cutouts. Sounds simple huh? Alice saves pictures, prints and old theatre programs for years before she finds the right materials.
What an Exciting Way to Begin our Underground Railroad Trip!
Railroad Tour. The greatest highlight for me was visiting The Dunbar House, which was hosted by Ms. Sci. She provided insight into Paul Lawrence Dunbar's short, but brilliant life. She told us about the death of his sister and the separation of his parents and related how these two events shaped his life and poetry. "In fact, he was so devastated by this that at one point he stopped talking
I was particularly touched when she recited his poem, "We Wear The Mask". It touched me on a personal level because I lived in the South. I saw how my dad would react when some white man would yell and say "Hey Boy". He would just laugh and grin , but then when he and I would get in the truck, his face turned somber; yet he never said anything about it to me. However, it made me angry hearing them call him that. My dad was a MAN and deserved to be treated as such.
But on another level it is true, we do all wear masks trying to hide our true feelings.
Today I learned how to use the palm pilot
I think this is a wonderful idea and I am excited about the potential this has for improving working in class on line.
The Harriet Beecher Stowe Site
The Harriet Beecher Stowe site was an enculturated monument to slavery. This house was full of the history, faces and voices of the individuals who bore the chains of discrimination that eventually unlocked our chance at equality. The large white house stands on a hill as representation of the justice Harriet Beecher Stowe realized blacks,
slaves deserved. Her great literary work, Uncle Tom's Cabin, was an exposure of America’s gruesome sore, slavery. She ripped off the southern scab to reveal a festering institution of brutality. As a result, Harriet Beecher Stowe subjected herself to the criticism of many who supported slavery. This woman of small stature went on to defend herself with an even more detailed book supporting the validity of the events and characters and truth of the contents of Uncle Tom's Cabin. Inside the home there was tremendous memorabilia including quilts devoted to slaves, chains and shoes worn by slaves. We were also fortunate enough to listen to actual testimonies of slaves. An important detail about the Harriet Beecher Stowe House is that in the legacy of her beliefs this house remains a safe haven for Black culture. Youth and Black artists and musicians can find acceptance and recognition here.
Springboro
Springboro was such an interesting and enlightening city. I've heard of Oberlin and the tremendous amount of Underground Railroad activity. And I've visited Ripley where John Parker led the charge at the base of the mighty Ohio for a town full of abolitionists. But, I had never heard much about Springboro. This town was remarkable! It banded together to aid thousands of freedom seekers in their journey north to Canada. These people had no fear. They were "Friends" who acted on their convictions, and risked their lives and livelihoods to help others. It seemed as though this community had its own rules and regulations. Even their signs and symbols were unique: a white washed chimney (on one side); three flowerpots on the windowsill; or a quilt hanging in the evening (notifying freedom seekers that danger is near). Springboro should be proud of its history. America should be proud of its residents and their actions.
Springboro
Springboro, Ohio was a small Quaker community made up with a network of tunnels between routes to creeks, meadows, and other tunnels leading to and from homes with hidden spaces placed throughout it to hide the slaves. Quakers lived their belief that God meant for all men to be free to do God's work. The Quakers were quiet peace-loving people who opened their arms, their homes, their pantries, their hearts, and their lives to the runaway slaves to help them reach their destination of freedom.
In this town you can find several "safe house" which were secret homes the slaves could run to and hide to rest up for their next day's journey. These houses were owned by conductors ... people who organize and implement escape plans. The following is a list of names of conductors in Springboro: Jonathan Wright and his grandson, Frederick; Solomon Miller and his son Thomas; James Stanton and his nephew, Joseph. These gentlemen risked their lives to help thousands reach their goals. It amazes me all the ingenuity, effort, and courage these people put forth to help the thousands of runaways.
If caught any of these people could have suffered serious punishment. The slaves, if caught, were transported back down south to be whipped, beat or toes/feet cut off so they would never attempt to run away again. Conductors, or any others, caught may spend years in jail with fines that have to be paid. These people would be so ostracized.
Ingenious ways were invented to communicate safety between the runaways and these safe houses. Candles were put in windows to show safe passage was available. A quilt left on the clothesline meant walk softly and go by quickly for it is not safe in this house. Flowerpot arrangements also told of safe passage. These people were ingenious in their mission.
This site is especially touching for me, as this is part of my heritage. I feel extremely honored to have relatives that supported, risked their lives and believed whole-heartedly in the Underground Rail Road.
Address technical questions on the Footsteps to Freedom website to webmaster@rims.k12.ca.us