In the 1850s, the town of Niagara Falls was a key location on the Underground Railroad, situated along the Niagara River and the border with Canada. The river was thus the last barrier to cross for people escaping slavery to reach freedom in Canada.
Why do you think Niagara Falls was a major destination for runaway slaves?
This allowed slave hunters to pursue and capture enslaved people in places where they would legally be free. Approximately 30,000 slaves were able to escape along the Underground Railroad, and Niagara Falls was well-recognized as being a settling point for many people who escaped slavery in the United States.
What role did the Great Lakes play in the Underground Railroad?
More than 150 years ago, the Great Lakes region played a key role in the Underground Railroad. Runaway slaves made their way to cities along the lakes and crossed the border to freedom in Canada. Today, thousands of asylum seekers who came to the U.S. are heading north, too.
What bridge did Harriet Tubman jump off of?
On at least one trip, Tubman made the Underground Railroad a literal one. In November 1856 she guided four escaped slaves via train over the one-year-old Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge, which spanned the gorge near where today’s Rainbow Bridge stands.
Where did Harriet Tubman cross into Canada?
There is no doubt that in the course of rescuing enslaved African Americans before the Civil War and moving them safely to Canada, Harriet Tubman crossed the Niagara River by the Suspension Bridge.
Was Niagara Falls part of the Underground Railroad?
In the 1850s, the town of Niagara Falls was a key location on the Underground Railroad, situated along the Niagara River and the border with Canada. The river was thus the last barrier to cross for people escaping slavery to reach freedom in Canada.
What river did Harriet Tubman?
Anyone who drives Highway 17 from Point South toward Charleston will cross the Combahee River and the Harriet Tubman Bridge. Tubman, also know as “Moses”, was a former slave from Maryland who fled to freedom in 1849.
Did slaves cross Lake Erie?
The abolitionists and former slaves that ran the Underground Railroad helped runaway slaves cross to Canada via Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie and the Niagara River. Captains of “Freedom Ships” are believed to have played an important role in helping stowaways escape, such as on the schooner Home.
What does shake de Lion’s Paw mean?
Though it provided that people born into slavery remained enslaved until their deaths, the law forbade bringing new slaves into the province. Once they “shook the lion’s paw,” a reference to the symbol of Great Britain, they were slaves no more.
What does it mean to shake the lion’s paw?
To shake the lion’s paw, was Underground Railroad code for going to Canada. They were shaking hands, (paws) with the British Lion, in that Canada was still a British colony. Sitting Bull and his Lakota called Canada Grandmother Country referring of course to Queen Victoria.
Did Harriet Tubman ever find her husband?
Harriet Tubman had been married to John Tubman for five years when she escaped slavery in 1849. She came back for him — but he’d already found another woman. NY Daily NewsThis may be the only photograph of Harriet’s first husband, John Tubman (right), though its origins are unconfirmed.
Why did Harriet Tubman leave Canada?
After her owner died in March 1849, Tubman was in a difficult position. To settle debts, owners or their families would often sell their slaves and reduce their holdings. Tubman feared that she would be sold to another owner and fled north on her own.
Where did Harriet Tubman live in St. Catharines?
Tubman had been living in North Street in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada West since 1851; that was her home and her base of operation. She had brought her parents and her entire family to St. Catharines where they lived safe from slave catchers.
How many years did Harriet Tubman live in Canada?
Narrator: Harriet Tubman lived in St. Catharines from 1851 to 1857. Harriet’s role in the Underground Railroad movement was one of the many inspiring accomplishments of her life.
Niagara Falls USA
He was born into slavery in Kentucky in the year 1815, and he was the son of a slave owner named Henry Bibb. After several failed efforts to emancipate himself from slavery, he maintained the strength and persistence to continue his struggle for freedom despite being captured and imprisoned multiple times. It was only through his determination that he was able to successfully escape to the northern states and then to Canada with the help of the Underground Railroad, a feat that had been highly anticipated.
For my own personal liberty, I made a decision somewhere during the autumn or winter of 1837 that I would try to flee to Canada if at all feasible.” Immediately after, I began preparing for the potentially lethal experiment of breading the chains that kept me a prisoner in my own home.
I also purchased a suit that I had never worn or been seen in before, in order to escape discovery.
It was the twenty-fifth of December, 1837.
- My moral bravery was tested to the limit when I left my small family and tried to keep my emotions under wraps at all times.
- No matter how many opportunities were presented to me to flee if I wanted to be free, and the call of liberty was booming in my own spirit, ‘Be free!
- A thousand barriers had formed around my mind, attempting to bind my wounded spirit, which was still imprisoned in the dark dungeon of mental degradation.
- It was difficult to break free from my deep bonds to friends and relatives, as well as the love of home and birthplace that is so natural among the human family, which were entwined around my heart and made it difficult to go forward.
- But I’d calculated the cost and was completely prepared to make the sacrifice before I started the process.
If I don’t want to be a slave, I’ll have to abandon friends and neighbors, along with my wife and child.” I was given something to eat by these gracious folks, who then set me on my way to Canada on the advise of a buddy who had met me along the road.” This marked the beginning of the construction of what was referred to be the underground rail track from the United States to the Canadian continent.
In the morning, I walked with bold courage, trusting in the arm of Omnipotence; by night, I was guided by the unchangeable North Star, and inspired by the elevated thought that I was fleeing from a land of slavery and oppression, waving goodbye to handcuffs, whips, thumb-screws, and chains, and that I was on my way to freedom.
I continued my journey vigorously for nearly forty-eight hours without food or rest, battling against external difficulties that no one who has never experienced them can comprehend: not knowing when I might be captured while traveling among strangers, through cold and fear, braving the north winds while wearing only a thin layer of clothing, being pelted by snow storms through the dark hours of the night, and not being able to find a house in which to take shelter from the storm.” Among the countless accounts recorded by escaped slaves is this one, which is only one example.
Sojourner Truth, a former slave who became well-known for her efforts to bring slavery to an end, was another person who came from a slave background.
Green and many others, including Josiah Henson, authored autobiographies in which they described their own personal journeys.
The writing down of one’s experiences by so many escaped slaves may have been done in order to assist people better comprehend their struggles and tribulations; or it may have been done in order to help individuals learn from their mistakes in the aim of building a brighter future.
- The First Presbyterian Church of Lewiston (33 Cayuga Street, Lewiston, NY). Rector Josiah Tryon is buried in the graveyard of this church. Rev. Tryon was an abolitionist pioneer who, together with his business associates, Amos Tryon, Augustus and Peter Porter, created a shipping business that they used as a cover to help runaway slaves. A house on the Niagara River with nine descending mini-cellars was created by Tryon to assist slaves in getting as close as they possibly could to the Niagara River and Canada. Tryon’s endeavor was dubbed “Tryon’s Folly” because of his failure. The church, St. Johns AME Church, now has a memorial monument, which was dedicated in 1998. (917 Garden Avenue, Niagara Falls, NY). Despite the fact that this location was not a safe haven for escaping slaves, it played an important part in the Underground Railroad. The church contributed to the movement’s financial support by giving monies for transportation and guides who assisted slaves in their escape to Canada. The place is marked with a monument dedicated to the Young Women’s Christian Association of Lockport (32 Cottage Street, Lockport, NY). Slaves took sanctuary in a secret chamber at this location, which was formerly the residence of Abijah Moss, a notable female banker of the time. The house has been converted into the YWCA Lockport headquarters. In commemoration of the movement, a memorial has been erected.
Although it occurred after the American Civil War, the Niagara area was a major player in the desegregation effort. The “Niagara Movement,” launched by W.E.B. DuBois, is credited with establishing the NAACP in its contemporary form.
Buffalo-Niagara’s Role In The Underground Railroad
The majority of people are unaware that BuffaloNiagara Falls played a significant part in the Underground Railroad and the freedom of slaves during the American Revolution. The nature of the region, as well as its proximity to Canada, made the Niagara Frontier a popular location for enslaved individuals seeking freedom throughout the nineteenth century. Crossing the Niagara River was the final aim, because they would be granted freedom once they reached Canada, which was their ultimate destination.
What was the Underground Railroad?
Almost no one is aware of the significant significance that Buffalo and Niagara Falls played in the Underground Railroad and in the freedom of slaves during the American Revolution. The Niagara Frontier was a popular location for enslaved individuals seeking freedom in the 1800s because of its topography and shared border with Canada. They were determined to cross the Niagara River because they would be granted freedom once they reached Canada. Due to the fact that February is Black History Month, we felt it would be fascinating and pertinent to highlight the Buffalo-Niagara region’s role in the Underground Railroad and how folks in the region assisted enslaved African-Americans in their efforts to escape to liberty.
Buffalo-Niagara’s Importance in the Underground Railroad
According to WNYHeritage.com, reaching the Niagara Frontier was the ultimate aim of hundreds of African-American freedom seekers journeying over the Underground Railroad in the 1800s. This was owing to a mix of geography, politics, and the fact that the state shares a border with Canada. It wasn’t until 1827 that slavery was abolished in New York State, therefore just being in the state didn’t guarantee freedom until much later in the century. According to the website, even after slavery was abolished in New York, children of freed slaves were required to serve as apprentices until they reached the age of 21, and slave owners were permitted to bring slaves into the state under certain conditions.
- It was prohibited from introducing new slaves into the province, despite the fact that the rule specified that those born into slavery would stay enslaved until they were killed.
- For former slaves from both New York and other states farther south, the Niagara River serving as a canal between Buffalo-Niagara and Canada served as a waterway to freedom during the American Civil War.
- Following the abolition of slavery in New York State for a period of time, former slaves were able to assist those in the South who were seeking freedom by giving food and shelter through the Underground Railroad.
- Because of a statute passed by Buffalonian and former President Millard Fillmore, they did so at their own peril.
- The act made it a criminal for any American to help a runaway slave in his or her escape.
- Some of these individuals included Harriet Tubman, who escaped slavery in Maryland in 1849 and, by late 1851, had assisted others in fleeing to St.
Catharines, California, in what is now the province of Ontario. Tubman put her life in danger by returning to the South 19 times to lead at least 300 slaves to freedom, according to Public Broadcasting System (PBS).
Suspension Bridge
It is reported that in November 1856, Tubman escorted four escaped slaves by rail across the Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge, which was located near the site of today’s Rainbow Bridge, to safety. When they reached the Canadian border, she informed the freedom seekers that they had “shaken the lion’s paw,” a reference to Great Britain, which had dominated the region until 1867, and that they were now officially free of British rule. “Such a well-documented memorial to the battle for independence is something of which Western New Yorkers and Southern Ontarians should feel proud,” says WNYHeritage.org of what remains of the suspension bridge.
Cataract House
In addition to the Cataract House, which was formerly one of the largest hotels in Niagara Falls during the 1800s, another important local Underground Railroad relic was the Niagara Falls Hotel. This establishment, according to the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center, had a completely African-American wait staff, which assisted many former slaves in their escape to Canada, with some even ferrying slaves across the Niagara River themselves. African-Americans employed at the Cataract House in 1850 reported their birthplaces as a southern state or as unknown/unlisted, indicating that many of these individuals had fled slavery.
A statement from the Niagara Falls Heritage Center states that “the significance of the Cataract House as a focal point of Underground Railroad action in Niagara Falls cannot be overstated.” As a result of the African American servers who served as Underground Railroad agents, this location became one of the most important Underground Railroad hubs in the whole country.” While the suspension bridge and the Cataract House were regarded crucial locations for assisting freedom seekers in their journey to Canada, escaped slaves also sailed to Canada aboard boats from Lewiston and Youngstown, and some even swam over the Niagara River to reach freedom in Canada.
Local Museums Highlight Underground Railroad History
Cataract House, one of Niagara Falls’ greatest hotels during its heyday as a major Underground Railroad stopover point, was yet another important Underground Railroad site. This establishment, according to the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center, had a completely African-American wait staff, who assisted many former slaves in their escape to Canada, with some even ferrying captives across the Niagara River themselves. African-Americans laboring at the Cataract House in 1850 reported their birthplaces as a southern state or as unknown/unlisted, indicating that many of these people had fled slavery.
This can’t be overstated, according to the Niagara Falls Heritage Center, which describes the Cataract House as “the epicenter of Underground Railroad action in Niagara Falls.” As a result of the African American waiters who served as Underground Railroad agents, this location became one of the most important Underground Railroad hubs in the whole nation.” However, while the suspension bridge and the Cataract House were regarded important landmarks in the movement of freedom seekers to Canada, escaped slaves also sailed to Canada in boats from Lewiston and Youngstown, and some even swam over the Niagara River to reach safety.
The Niagara River: Between Slavery and Freedom (U.S. National Park Service)
Stereoview of the Cataract House and rapids. The Niagara Falls Public Library is a public library in Niagara Falls, New York. As one of the seven natural wonders of the world, Niagara Falls has long been considered awe-inspiring and a must-see tourist attraction for visitors from all over the world. During the years of the Underground Railroad, Niagara Falls’ strength was derived from more than just its natural occurrence, or even from the harnessing of the Niagara River’s electricity. It was also derived from the conflict between slavery and freedom that existed at the time.
In addition to African Americans who worked as wait staff in the thriving Niagara Falls hotel and tourism business, a network of aid for freedom seekers who arrived in Niagara Falls included African Americans who worked as wait staff in the thriving Niagara Falls hotel and tourism industry.
French put it back in 1860, “There are no locations of equivalent size on the continent with a higher amount of hotel rooms than these.” A result of the hard work of the waiters who provided assistance to freedom seekers on their journeys to freedom in Canada, Niagara Falls became one of the most significant sites in the ferocious conflict between slavery and freedom.
- Ruth Howland is a visual artist.
- This practice began in the early 1840s and continued until World War I.
- The waiters were ready to go into action at a moment’s notice in order to assist individuals crossing the Niagara River to freedom.
- When a Southerner and his company came by carriage in front of the Cataract House and proceeded to attempt to apprehend a fugitive slave called Martha, it was considered a successful capture attempt.
- She dashed down the slick boat stairs while waiters and her pursuers trailed after her, catching up with her.
- Despite the fact that it was widely known that the servers were active in the Underground Railroad, the waiters were able to retain their positions.
- The Library of Congress is a federal government institution that collects and organizes information.
- It was constructed in two levels in 1855 to accommodate train traffic, and it quickly rose to prominence as a significant crossing point for thousands of individuals fleeing slavery in search of freedom.
- Joe Bailey and others were transported out of Maryland by her in November 1856.
As they approached the bridge, Harriet exclaimed, “Joe, you’ve entered into Queen Victoria’s domain! ” Congratulations, you are now a free man! Joe raised his head, tears flowing down his face, and began to chant and scream as the train approached the Canadian border and reached the freedom station.
Telling the Untold Stories of the Underground Railroad
A script for an action-packed Hollywood thriller may be written from the stories. Physical bravery, a tremendous natural impediment, heroism at the last minute, and the triumph of good over evil are all included. At the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center, you can learn about the long-overlooked and untold tales of the waiters and porters who worked at the historic Cataract House Hotel, as well as the courageous runaway slaves who were helped escape bondage by the men and women who worked there.
The Heritage Center uses newspaper articles, letters, and diary entries from the time period to do so.
On their journey to freedom, they depended on a network of supporters and safe homes known as the Underground Railroad to assist them.
It was the home of numerous free African Americans, many of whom worked in the city’s hotels and inns.
The Niagara Heritage Center portrays the genuine story of the courageous Americans who battled for freedom and justice on the bluffs overlooking the Niagara Gorge, using multimedia exhibits, a reproduction of the Cataract House Hotel dining room, historical relics, magnificent artwork, and a short film.
It should be a mandatory stop on every visitor’s itinerary to the Cataract City.
It is open from 11 a.m.
on Thursdays through Sundays.
Niagara Falls USA and Underground Railroad Heritage Tour
A script for an action-packed Hollywood thriller might be written from the descriptions in these stories. Physical bravery, a huge natural hurdle, heroism at the last minute, and the victory of good over evil are all on display. At the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center, you may learn about the long-overlooked and unwritten tales of the waiters and porters who worked at the famous Cataract House Hotel, as well as the brave escaped slaves who were aided from bondage by the hotel’s waiters and porters.
Thousand upon thousands of freedom seekers attempted to flee slavery in the American South before to the Civil War’s conclusion, in 1865, On their journey to freedom, they depended on a network of supporters and safe homes known as the Underground Railroad to aid them.
Many of the city’s hotels and inns were owned by free African Americans, who considered it home.
The Niagara Heritage Center portrays the genuine story of the courageous Americans who battled for freedom and justice on the bluffs overlooking the Niagara Gorge, using multimedia exhibits, a reproduction of the Cataract House Hotel dining room, historic antiques, gorgeous artwork, and a short film.
Any visit to the Cataract City should include a stop to this attraction.
Located at 825 Depot Avenue W. in Niagara Falls, the Underground Railroad Heritage Center is a must-visit. There are hours of operation from 11am to 5pm on Thursdays through Sundays. niagarafallsundergroundrailroad.org provides further information.
Discover Niagara Shuttle
The Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center is an interactive museum that tells the true stories of freedom seekers and abolitionists who came to Niagara Falls in search of freedom through the Underground Railroad. Visitors are encouraged to understand contemporary inequalities that result from slavery and to take action in the direction of a more fair society. After arriving at the Amtrak Station, visitors will be welcomed by an exhibit section in the atrium that will depict the long and tumultuous journey of the Underground Railroad up to the point where it reached Niagara Falls, moving from left to right (from south to north and slavery to freedom) from the beginning of the journey to the end.
Visitors will sign in at the Welcome Desk before entering the Heritage Center and will have the opportunity to browse the retail “museum” store before moving inside the Center’s exhibition area, which is housed within the Custom House building.
Visitor interaction with the scene will allow them to activate scenarios or expose facts that will explain the purpose and function of those who participated in the Underground Railroad in Niagara Falls, as well as the history of the city.
The Cataract House’s “dining room” and “reception” are where the stories of the Underground Railroad are recounted at their most poignant.
During their visit, visitors will learn about the African American waiters who worked at tourist hotels such as the Cataract House, who actively resisted slavery and lived double lives by openly serving hotel guests while also secretly assisting freedom seekers in their attempt to cross the Niagara River to Canada.
Escapees and freedom seekers will get help at the spectacular crossing spots along the Niagara River, which will be surrounded by reconstructed sceneries of the historical crossing stations.
Over the course of the exhibition, visitors will be immersed in tales and hear firsthand from individuals from all over the world who have a connection to the famous Underground Railroad in the past and today.
Parallels and other important historical and contemporary tales are encouraged to be considered by visitors, with the intention that these stories and linkages would encourage deeper thinking, examination of new or alternative viewpoints, and stimulate actions in our own lives.
Niagara Falls Train Station
Visitors who arrive at the new Niagara Falls Train Station will find the Discover Niagara Shuttle to be a convenient service. Upon arrival, travelers may take advantage of the complimentary shuttle service to downtown Niagara Falls hotels and activities.
The Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center
The Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center is a new, interactive museum that tells the true stories of freedom seekers and abolitionists who lived and worked in Niagara Falls during the Underground Railroad era. The museum’s mission is to inspire visitors to recognize modern injustices that stem from slavery and to take action to create a more equitable society. The permanent exhibition, One More River to Cross, which has been on display since May 2018, tells the fascinating stories of the Underground Railroad in Niagara Falls, as well as the critical role played by the city’s location and geography, as well as the actions of its residents – particularly its African American residents.
The International Coalition of Sites of Conscience’s mission is to connect the past to contemporary social justice issues – “to turn memory into action.” The questions from CultureBank were answered by Emily Reynolds, Marketing Specialist at CultureBank.
CultureBank Questions
People in Niagara Falls, New York, may learn about the Underground Railroad at the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center. Niagara Falls is located in the rust belt and is currently seeing a resurgence following decades of economic and population loss. It is also the destination for over 4 million tourists who come to see the falls every year.
What gets you going each day and inspires your current work?
It is the tales of the people who lived in and moved through Niagara Falls during the era of slavery in the United States that serve as inspiration for my work at the Niagara Falls Heritage Center. There are several such legends, including one about the servers at the Cataract House, a famous hotel that flourished at Niagara Falls from 1825 to 1945. When visiting the Falls, everyone who was anybody stayed at the Cataract House, including notable abolitionists as well as enslavers, who frequently brought their enslaved slaves with them.
Waiters at the Cataract House assisted numerous enslaved slaves of hotel guests in crossing the Niagara River by boat to freedom in Canada, doing so clandestinely and at considerable personal peril to their own safety.
About 1890, according to the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center — Central Hotel Staff.
When you work in your community, what are the most valuable assets of the community that you experience aside from real estate and money?
The tales of the individuals who have lived here throughout history, as well as the lives of those who live here now, are the most precious assets in our community for our work. There are fascinating stories of things that have happened in Niagara Falls that have been passed down through generations of humans. The falls themselves are a great asset in their own right. Currently, they attract more than 4 million visitors to Niagara Falls each year, with whom we aim to share our heritage. The proximity of our location to the Canadian border is a third advantage that we have enjoyed.
Greater tales, more history, and cross-national collaboration are all made possible by our closeness to Canada, which has mostly gone unexplored.
How does your artistic practice inform and/or is integrated into your enterprise?
While our museum is dedicated to the celebration of history, we have included art and culture into every aspect of it. Numerous individuals on whom we focus were not photographed, their lives were kept hidden by necessity, and the artifacts that dotted their history were not thought valuable enough to be saved. We collaborated with partners, including illustrator E.B. Lewis, to bring the stories to life and to assist tourists understand the Underground Railroad in Niagara Falls. The stories were brought to life via the collaboration of E.B.
What is the impact of your work on your community?Today?Over a long period of time?
It will be one year since our museum first opened its doors in May of this year. In our first year, we have shared previously unknown stories of the Underground Railroad with our community, igniting a renewed feeling of pride in the historical events that took place in the city of Niagara. In our community, 22 percent of the population identifies as African American, with many of those individuals descended from enslaved people, so this history of strength over oppression seems very significant.
We will be creating jobs for the residents in this area, and we will have extended the offers for tourists in Niagara Falls in order to encourage them to stay longer and spend more money in the local economy.
We want to be of assistance to other communities in mining their own history and developing comparable facilities.
Lewis, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License The images are courtesy of the Richard Lewis Media Group, the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center, and the E.B.
The Nitty Gritty
The Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center, which opened on May 4, 2018, is a museum dedicated to the history of the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad.
What is your staffing situation like?
We have a total of nine part-time employees.
What is your annual budget?
Our annual budget is around $300,000 dollars.
Find out more at theNiagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center website.
Featured image courtesy of the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Historical Society. It is impossible to overstate the significance of black history in Western New York. The Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center, which is featured in this piece, is one of the most colossal exhibits of that history. This facility, which is one of the most significant pieces of black history in Western New York, does an outstanding job of showcasing and preserving the stories of the Underground Railroad as it existed in Niagara Falls at the time of its establishment.
History
Located in Niagara Falls, New York, the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center is exclusively committed to preserving local history. In particular, they hope to share actual experiences of freedom seekers and abolitionists in order to encourage visitors to notice contemporary inequalities that result from slavery and to take steps to create a more fair society. The facility itself is designed to resemble a museum, complete with informational and historical exhibits for visitors. Due to the fact that it resurrects both the legacies left by the Underground Railroad and the manner in which it contributed to the creation of the city of Niagara Falls today, the value of this site cannot be overstated.
- The center officially opened its doors in May of 2018 after years of planning and visioning what it may be.
- Customs House, which houses the museum and is open to the public.
- This bridge, which is visible from the Center, functioned as a border crossing for many freedom seekers since it was easily accessible by vehicles.
- The Erie Canal had a significant influence in facilitating access to this site.
- The Center also emphasizes individual places across the city that served as stops along the Underground Railroad route.
Without a doubt, it is situated at a nexus of historical sites in the battle against injustice and oppression. The “One More River to Cross” exhibit at the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center. Photo courtesy of the center. ADVERTISEMENT
What To Expect When You Visit
When it comes to the visitor experience, the Center provides a variety of possibilities. Tours, exhibitions, and activities are available to let you to fully immerse yourself in a vital piece of local African-American history. You are welcome to visit the museum at any time during business hours as long as you adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines in effect. Aside from that, they now provide virtual group and individual tours of the museum, which may be viewed through their website. The “One More River to Cross” exhibit at the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center.
When you visit, you may expect to view their permanent display “One More River to Cross” as well as other temporary exhibits.
There are a variety of interactive items on display, and it takes most visitors around an hour to complete the entire exhibition.
The new Heritage Center is devoted to the stories of brave self-emancipation by freedom seekers, as told by their descendants.
Pro-tips For Visiting
- An underground railroad walking tour is available on the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center’s website and through an app that will lead you through the Underground Railroad locations across the city of Niagara Falls. The striking “Black Lives Matter” mural by artist Ashley Kay is directly across the street from the center — you won’t want to miss it
- Check out the Center’s retail store, which offers unique items to help raise funds for their cause! Here’s where to get it online:
We welcome you to visit niagarafallsundergroundrailroad.com for additional information on how to visit and support the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center. Follow the center on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.
Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center
Located at 825 Depot Avenue West in Niagara Falls, New York 14305. Tickets are available for purchase online. Hours of operation are:
- Thursday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Friday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Their website may be found here, where you can get the most up to date hours.
Every Wednesday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m., Virtual Freedom Conversation Tours are conducted. Virtual Freedom Conversation Tours are held in real time online. Tickets are available for purchase online under the events section. Prices for admission are as follows: Adults $10, seniors 62 and over $8, students 13 and up with valid ID $8, youth 6-12 $6, and children 5 and under free Virtual Freedom Conversation Tour: $25 for a family, $12 for a couple, and $8 for a single. Website:niagarafallsundergroundrailroad.org
Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center – 2022 All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
The Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center is a 4.5-star establishment. Museums of History About the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage CenterThe Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center is a ground-breaking museum that tells the true experiences of freedom seekers and abolitionists who lived and worked in Niagara Falls during the Underground Railroad era. The ‘One More Rive to Cross’ permanent exhibition, housed in the former 1863 United States Custom House attached to the Niagara Falls Amtrak Station, tells the fascinating stories of the Underground Railroad in Niagara Falls, the crucial role played by the city’s location and geography, and the actions of its residents, particularly its African American residents.
The exhibition, which bridges the gap between the past and the present, encourages viewers to realize contemporary injustices that result from slavery and to take steps toward a more fair society.
Tickets for the contactless system may be purchased at bit.ly/NFUGRRtickets. niagarafallsundergroundrailroad.org. 1 hour is recommended as a duration. Toursexperiences Investigate several approaches of interacting with this location.
Top ways to experience Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center and similar attractions
The neighborhood is located at 825 Depot Avenue West, Niagara Falls, NY 14305-2477. The best eateries in the area We assign a ranking to these restaurants and attractions based on a combination of user evaluations and how near they are to the current location. Take a look at everything Attractions in the immediate vicinity We assign a ranking to these restaurants and attractions based on a combination of user evaluations and how near they are to the current location. Take a look at everything Contributions from J.
- Buffalo, New York33 December of 2021 I went with a group of kids, and the entire experience was excellent.
- The 1863 structure has been meticulously renovated and serves as an excellent home for this one-of-a-kind museum.
- All of this was brought to life by our incredible tour guide Mikayla, who is a real professional and one of the most educated and entertaining tour leaders I have ever encountered anywhere in the world.
- Our individual is a tremendous asset to this website.
- The cost of entry was reasonable, and this was a must-see for any party interested in learning more about this region’s unique role in historical events.
- It is a very efficient operation, rather than an overpowering time-sink that will result in bored tourists and take an eternity, especially if you choose the guided tour route.
- PamLM Contributions from Sergeant Bluff and IA200 Couples in the month of October 2021 Make sure to set aside some time for this museum.
Whoever was in charge of curating the exhibits and developing the story line did an excellent job.
It is also directly across the street from the bridge to Canada that was once used by slaves to cross the border.
Wow.
Written on October 16, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and does not reflect the views and opinions of TripAdvisor, LLC.
s The month of October 2021 I would recommend it to everyone.
The Cataract Hotel was the subject of the museum, which focused on how it played a significant role in the Underground Railroad.
The staff was really kind and educated.
Written on October 8, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and does not reflect the views and opinions of TripAdvisor LLC.
We were able to participate in the trip, and the guide provided us with food for thought.
We are still thinking about the new things we learnt on that excursion, even though it has been a week.
It’s a little museum, but it’s got a lot of personality.
Written on September 18, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and does not reflect the views and opinions of TripAdvisor, LLC.
The exhibits are really intriguing and well-presented, and you will gain a great deal of knowledge (even if you think you already know a fair amount about the Underground Railroad).
If you are in the neighborhood, it is definitely worth stopping by.
When visiting Niagara Falls, be sure to stop by this excellent and interesting museum.
Our tour guide, James, is a history professor at a nearby community college and was a mine of information on the history of the Underground Railroad.
It was an emotional event that brought to light a very tragic chapter in our country’s history that should be shared with everyone.
The month of June 2021 Niagara Falls is a must-see attraction that should not be missed.
Written on June 22, 2021This review represents the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and does not reflect the views and opinions of TripAdvisor LLC.
It is located in the Amtrak building.
The bulk of the museum needed viewing films and reading.
The significance of the content is something that everyone should be aware of, however the set up did not suit my taste at all.
Written on January 23, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and does not reflect the views and opinions of TripAdvisor, LLC.
I had no notion what a crucial role Niagara played in the liberation and protection of African-Americans (regarded as property, a shameful part of our American history).
Written on the 12th of September, 2020 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and does not reflect the views and opinions of TripAdvisor LLC. Results 1-10 of 48 are shown.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage CenterThe Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center is open during the following hours: Tickets may be purchased in advance on Tripadvisor. Booking with Tripadvisor allows you to cancel your trip at least 24 hours before the scheduled start date and receive a full refund.
Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center
On the Underground Railroad, Niagara Falls, New York, was arguably one of the most spectacular stops along the route. It was a final stop before crossing the border into Canada and achieving independence. The Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center is a new, interactive museum that explores the true tales of freedom seekers and abolitionists who lived and worked in Niagara Falls, New York, during the time of the Underground Railroad. To inspire visitors to recognize contemporary injustices stemming from slavery and to take action toward a more equitable society, the Heritage Center connects these historical stories with contemporary stories of freedom-seeking in order to inspire them to recognize modern injustices resulting from slavery and to take action toward a more equitable society.
- As an engagement tool, the exhibits make use of guided discourse to bring the public closer to difficult societal concerns pertaining to freedom and slavery in our current society.
- Client The Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Area is located in Niagara Falls, New York.
- Categories History of Cultural Practices Conscience’s Exhibit/Site of Conscience Featured MediaMuseum that is interactive Participation of Young People Partners Historical Investigation of the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Area Professor Dr.
- Richard Lewis Media Group is a media company.
- Lewis’ Watercolor Illustrations are available for purchase.
- Consultation on Facilitated Dialogue for the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience USA Exhibits: Fabrication Electroacoustic: Integration of Media Wendel Architects is responsible for architectural and engineering coordination.
Mia MayeNiagara Falls, NY
Photographs courtesy of Kim Smith Photo and Seth Frankel/Studio Tectonic (no rights or permissions provided) Copyright 2018
Louis H. F. Hamilton — Oakwood Cemetery
Michelle Ann Kratts contributed to this article. There are individuals who take the initiative in secret. Fate arranges them in the appropriate locations and at the appropriate moments. They carry out their responsibilities. Quietly. After that, they perish. Inevitably, they fade away into the shadows of global history, where they remain for all time. In the history of Niagara Falls, the Hamilton family of Niagara Falls was considered to be one of the most extraordinary families to ever reside in the city.
- And some of their relatives may come as a surprise to you.
- There it was, there in front of me: I was looking for something else.
- Who were these amazing folks, and where did they come from?
- It appeared as though this was merely the beginning of things to come—after all, here was a special event that had received a front-page write-up in the Niagara Falls Gazette, to boot.
- Gaines, John Morrison and L.H.F.
- All of these individuals had left a trail behind them, and we followed it until we discovered their intriguing backstories.
- In the Cataract House, fugitives were transported over the river by the mysterious John Morrison, the head waiter.
Also included is a tour of Thomas Jefferson’s residence, Monticello, which includes the front doors.
Until recently, nothing was known about the individuals who were at the forefront of this effort in Niagara Falls.
Those who were detected helping and assisting fleeing slaves were subjected to severe fines and jail terms, as well as other penalties.
When it came to Niagara Falls, only the best would do.
In general agreement, experts believe that the movement’s origins were focused within the hotels themselves.
Certainly, the management were complicit, but it was the African-American employees who provided the necessary strength and motivation for the struggle to succeed.
When he returned to get her, he was confronted by a group of “colored folks” who refused to even let him to see her.
Whitney and Sons,” according to the report.
The waiters were well-known for removing slaves from their traveling parties and smuggling them across the Niagara River and into Canada, where they were eventually emancipated.
There were both males and women in attendance.
Many of them were fugitives from slavery.
Without a doubt, we don’t know all about Louis Henry Fetigue Hamilton and his wife, Clarissa Condol, as they lived in the early 1900s.
L.H.F., a mulatto who was born in 1823 in Washington, D.C., was most likely the child of Catherine Bell, who was likely an enslaved woman.
Her ancestors were Native Americans, and her father, William, was well-known for his efforts on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War.
In Geneva, New York, it is thought that L.H.F.
L.H.F.
The Cataract House was directly across the street from “Hamilton’s General Agency and Intelligence Office.” At this time period, the Underground Railroad was in full swing in the city of Niagara on the Lake.
Its proximity to the Cataract House, as well as the fact that it was the type of establishment that African Americans would naturally contact if they were in need of “situations,” made it appear as though it may have served as a meeting point for runaways seeking aid from authorities.
Catherine, Lewis, and Henry were among the many children they had together.
In the late 1880s, he set his shop on Main Street under the name “Hamilton’s Photographic Portraits.” It was Mrs.
Dorothy Condol was married to William Bell Fossett, who was also married in Geneva.
(according to the census).
Hamilton, since Hamilton’s mother’s surname was “Bell,” and Fossett’s middle name was “Bell,” suggesting that the two men are related in other ways.
At this time, no evidence has been shown to support the claims made.
This is especially true when it comes to his heritage.
He was the son of Joseph Fossett and Edith Hern, and he was born in Monticello, Virginia, in 1821.
They were Thomas Jefferson’s slaves, and he owned them.
Joseph managed to get away from Monticello at one time and ended himself in the White House in order to be with his children, who were in critical condition.
When Thomas Jefferson’s will was amended in 1827, Joseph and the majority of the children were granted their freedom as a result of this.
It is often assumed that the slaves that were freed as a result of Jefferson’s will were descended from his own family.
Fossett was at Niagara Falls as early as 1854, according to historical records.
It was said that he had previously worked as a caterer alongside his brother until he was “assigned to the management of a hotel in Niagara Falls.” Of course, their culinary abilities were most likely passed down to them by their mother, who was responsible for introducing French cuisine to America through Thomas Jefferson.
Many times, it is plausible that the brothers may have kept fugitives in some sort of covert place until they could be transported to Levi Coffin or John Van Zandt’s police station.
Ultimately, L.H.F and Clarissa took much of the tale of their participation in the Underground Railroad to their graves, as did their children.
H. F. passed away. He was 79 years old at the time. Clarissa died on the 6th of January, 1915. She was 90 years old at the time. Some other active members in the Underground Railroad are not too far away from where they are staying. However, their stories will have to wait for another day.