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Follow the North Star

The North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association (NCUGRHA) researches, preserves and interprets the history of the Underground Railroad, slavery and abolition along the Upper Hudson River-Champlain and Canal-Lake Champlain corridor of northeast New York. Visit the North Star Underground Railroad Museum where exhibits and videos reveal hidden success stories and our bus tours revisit underground escape routes. Our museum is a reflection of the importance of human freedom and its relevance for the present and future generations.

Follow the North Star

The North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association (NCUGRHA) researches, preserves and interprets the history of the Underground Railroad, slavery and abolition along the Upper Hudson River-Champlain and Canal-Lake Champlain corridor of northeast New York. Visit the North Star Underground Railroad Museum where exhibits and videos reveal hidden success stories and our bus tours revisit underground escape routes. Our museum is a reflection of the importance of human freedom and its relevance for the present and future generations.
Harriet Tubman Booker T. Washington William Still Rosa Parks Roy Wilkins Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Frederick Douglass Sojourner Truth Thurgood Marshall William Edward Burghardt "W. E. B." Du Bois George Washington Carver President Barack Obama James Cleveland "Jesse" Owens Marian Anderson Althea Gibson

Prominent African Americans

Click on each image for more information.
Support the North Star Museum

Mother! When around your child you clasp your arms in love,
And when grateful joy you raise your eyes to God above
Think of the negro-mother, when her child is torn away
Sold for a little slave oh then, for that poor mother pray!

A replica of the 1836 Cradle Quilt, on which the above poem was handwritten in the center, is now on display at the North Star Underground Railroad Museum.

Your gift in support of the North Star UGRR Museum will be greatly appreciated.
Solomon Northup

c1808 – c1863

A free African-American born in Minerva, New York, to a freed slave and a free woman of color. In 1841, Northup was kidnapped and sold into slavery. He spent 12 years as a slave before being rescued with the aid of Canadian carpenter, Samuel Bass; Henry B. Northup, lawyer and son of the former master who had freed Solomon's father; and New York State Governor Washington Hunt. Northup wrote his memoir, Twelve Years a Slave, shortly after regaining his freedom. Solomon's story inspired the 2013 Oscar-winning film, 12 Years a Slave.

Read more at Wikipedia »
William Edward Burghardt Du Bois

1868–1963

Co-founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and leader of the Niagara Movement.

Read more at Wikipedia »
Donate or join NCUGRHA today!

Visit our Supporters page »

Upcoming Events

June 20: Juneteenth Colors of Freedom Tour

Saturday, June 20

The Juneteenth "Colors of Freedom" tour will visit Underground Railroad sites from Keeseville/Peru to Beekmantown. There will be reenactments of Samuel and Catherine Keese and Stephen Keese Smith.
The tour begins at the North Star Underground Railroad Museum (1131 Mace Chasm Road, Ausable Chasm, NY).

For those wishing to use their own transportation, there is no charge to participate in the tour.
There is also an option to ride the tour bus, the cost of which is $10 per person or $20 for a family pass (round trip).

The bus will pick up passengers at the North Star Museum, tour various sites, transport passengers to the Plattsburgh Public Library for a movie screening from 1:30 to 3:30 pm, and return to the museum to drop passengers off at the end of the day (around 4:00 pm).

Pre-registration is required by June 19.

For more information, see the flyer.

Time: 10:00am-4:00pm
June 20: Juneteenth Movie Screening

Saturday, June 20

There will be a Juneteenth movie screening at the Plattsburgh Public Library (19 Oak Street, Plattsburgh, NY).

Note: Those who choose to ride the Juneteenth tour bus (pre-registration required by June 19) will be transported to the library as part of the tour.

For information, see the Juneteenth flyer.

Time: 1:30pm-3:30pm
June 21: Juneteenth Celebration at John Brown Farm

Sunday, June 21

Juneteenth Celebration at the John Brown Farm (115 John Brown Road, Lake Placid, NY).
This will include the Praise Tabernacle Dancers, Colors of Freedom Award, John Brown's final speech before the court, games, Jamcrackers Band, and a barbecue.

For information, see the Juneteenth flyer.

Time: 12:00pm-2:30pm

Our Logo

Our logo unites two Underground Railroad symbols—the North Star and a Lantern.

Our logo represents the eternal quest of the enslaved of the world to be free.

Our Mission

To research, preserve, interpret, and promote the Underground Railroad history of Northeastern New York's Waterways to Freedom and to celebrate the importance of that history and its relevance and significance to our own time. Our activities include:

Research
Exhibits
Preservation of historic sites
Instructional Materials
Media Presentations
Dramatic readings and displays

Museum Opening

The North Star Underground Railroad Museum will open for the 2026 season on May 22.

Visit the Museum page for days and hours.

Docents Needed

Join the fun and become a docent at the North Star Underground Railroad Museum.

Call Jackie Madison, 518-834-5180.

Home

Follow the North Star

Follow the North Star

Prominent African Americans

Support the North Star Museum

Solomon Northup

William Edward Burghardt Du Bois

Upcoming Events

Saturday, June 20

Saturday, June 20

Sunday, June 21

Our Logo

Our Mission

Museum Opening

Docents Needed

People & Places

We are Lighting Freedom's Road.