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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 »
Harriet Tubman

1820–1913

Abolitionist and humanitarian who, after escaping slavery, helped rescue slaves via the Underground Railroad.

Read more at Wikipedia »
Donate or join NCUGRHA today!

Visit our Supporters page »

Upcoming Events

July 7: Museum & Mini-Bus Tour

Saturday, July 7

The Underground Railroad Museum bus tour visits sites in Keeseville and Peru that are significant to Underground Railroad history. Tours depart from our museum (the former Herbert Estes home).

Sites on the tour include but aren’t limited to: Stephen Keese Smith Barn, Methodist Church, Evergreen and Quaker Union Cemeteries, Asahel Arthur Home.

Tour leaves North Star Underground Railroad Museum, 1131 Mace Chasm Road, Ausable Chasm, NY. Arrive by 9:00 am, tour starts at 9:15 am.

Tour cost: $10 for adults, $5 for children 6 to 18, free for children under 6. Please call for reservations.

Call 518‐834‐5180 or email ugr@frontier.com.

Include a visit to the Museum following the tour. Museum tours are free, but donations are gratefully accepted.

Time: 9:00am
July 18: Robert Elliott: "Who Do You Think You Are?"

Wednesday, July 18

Anderson Falls Heritage Society presents Robert Elliott: "Who Do You Think You Are?" with guest speaker, Don Papson, Independent Historian, Co-Founder and Curator of the North Star Underground Railroad Museum.
Town of AuSable Town Hall, 111 AuSable St, Keeseville, NY
See flyer for more information.

Time: 7:00pm
July 21: Museum & Mini-Bus Tour

Saturday, July 21

The Underground Railroad Museum bus tour visits sites in Keeseville and Peru that are significant to Underground Railroad history. Tours depart from our museum (the former Herbert Estes home).

Sites on the tour include but aren’t limited to: Stephen Keese Smith Barn, Methodist Church, Evergreen and Quaker Union Cemeteries, Asahel Arthur Home.

Tour leaves North Star Underground Railroad Museum, 1131 Mace Chasm Road, Ausable Chasm, NY. Arrive by 9:00 am, tour starts at 9:15 am.

Tour cost: $10 for adults, $5 for children 6 to 18, free for children under 6. Please call for reservations.

Call 518‐834‐5180 or email ugr@frontier.com.

Include a visit to the Museum following the tour. Museum tours are free, but donations are gratefully accepted.

Time: 9:00am
July 21: Solomon Northup's Day Celebration

Saturday, July 21

The North Star Underground Railroad Museum will celebrate the life of Solomon Northup, an American abolitionist and author of Twelve Years a Slave.
Northup, born a free man, was sold into slavery and later freed. The program is free to the public.
Tom Colarco, noted author of seven Underground Railroad books, will give a presentation and will bring a replica of the crate in which Henry "Box" Brown escaped (Brown escaped slavery by mailing himself in a wooden crate).
Donations are recommended and appreciated to cover Mr. Colarco's honorarium and rental of a van to transport the crate, which will be donated to the North Star Underground Railroad Museum.
For donation information, visit our Donations page or our Adirondack Gives campaign.

Time: 4:00pm
August 4: Museum & Mini-Bus Tour

Saturday, August 4

The Underground Railroad Museum bus tour visits sites in Keeseville and Peru that are significant to Underground Railroad history. Tours depart from our museum (the former Herbert Estes home).

Sites on the tour include but aren’t limited to: Stephen Keese Smith Barn, Methodist Church, Evergreen and Quaker Union Cemeteries, Asahel Arthur Home.

Tour leaves North Star Underground Railroad Museum, 1131 Mace Chasm Road, Ausable Chasm, NY. Arrive by 9:00 am, tour starts at 9:15 am.

Tour cost: $10 for adults, $5 for children 6 to 18, free for children under 6. Please call for reservations.

Call 518‐834‐5180 or email ugr@frontier.com.

Include a visit to the Museum following the tour. Museum tours are free, but donations are gratefully accepted.

Time: 9:00am
August 15: Queen City to Keeseville

Wednesday, August 15

Anderson Falls Heritage Society presents "Queen City to Keeseville" with guest speaker, James R. "Jim" Jones, historian, author, documentary filmmaker, and radio personality.
Town of AuSable Town Hall, 111 AuSable St, Keeseville, NY
See flyer for more information.

Time: 7:00pm
August 18: Museum & Mini-Bus Tour

Saturday, August 18

The Underground Railroad Museum bus tour visits sites in Keeseville and Peru that are significant to Underground Railroad history. Tours depart from our museum (the former Herbert Estes home).

Sites on the tour include but aren’t limited to: Stephen Keese Smith Barn, Methodist Church, Evergreen and Quaker Union Cemeteries, Asahel Arthur Home.

Tour leaves North Star Underground Railroad Museum, 1131 Mace Chasm Road, Ausable Chasm, NY. Arrive by 9:00 am, tour starts at 9:15 am.

Tour cost: $10 for adults, $5 for children 6 to 18, free for children under 6. Please call for reservations.

Call 518‐834‐5180 or email ugr@frontier.com.

Include a visit to the Museum following the tour. Museum tours are free, but donations are gratefully accepted.

Time: 9:00am
September 1: Museum & Mini-Bus Tour

Saturday, September 1

The Underground Railroad Museum bus tour visits sites in Keeseville and Peru that are significant to Underground Railroad history. Tours depart from our museum (the former Herbert Estes home).

Sites on the tour include but aren’t limited to: Stephen Keese Smith Barn, Methodist Church, Evergreen and Quaker Union Cemeteries, Asahel Arthur Home.

Tour leaves North Star Underground Railroad Museum, 1131 Mace Chasm Road, Ausable Chasm, NY. Arrive by 9:00 am, tour starts at 9:15 am.

Tour cost: $10 for adults, $5 for children 6 to 18, free for children under 6. Please call for reservations.

Call 518‐834‐5180 or email ugr@frontier.com.

Include a visit to the Museum following the tour. Museum tours are free, but donations are gratefully accepted.

Time: 9:00am
September 2: Museum & Mini-Bus Tour

Sunday, September 2

The Underground Railroad Museum bus tour visits sites in Keeseville and Peru that are significant to Underground Railroad history. Tours depart from our museum (the former Herbert Estes home).

Sites on the tour include but aren’t limited to: Stephen Keese Smith Barn, Methodist Church, Evergreen and Quaker Union Cemeteries, Asahel Arthur Home.

Tour leaves North Star Underground Railroad Museum, 1131 Mace Chasm Road, Ausable Chasm, NY. Arrive by 9:00 am, tour starts at 9:15 am.

Tour cost: $10 for adults, $5 for children 6 to 18, free for children under 6. Please call for reservations.

Call 518‐834‐5180 or email ugr@frontier.com.

Include a visit to the Museum following the tour. Museum tours are free, but donations are gratefully accepted.

Time: 9:00am
September 15: Museum & Mini-Bus Tour

Saturday, September 15

The Underground Railroad Museum bus tour visits sites in Keeseville and Peru that are significant to Underground Railroad history. Tours depart from our museum (the former Herbert Estes home).

Sites on the tour include but aren’t limited to: Stephen Keese Smith Barn, Methodist Church, Evergreen and Quaker Union Cemeteries, Asahel Arthur Home.

Tour leaves North Star Underground Railroad Museum, 1131 Mace Chasm Road, Ausable Chasm, NY. Arrive by 9:00 am, tour starts at 9:15 am.

Tour cost: $10 for adults, $5 for children 6 to 18, free for children under 6. Please call for reservations.

Call 518‐834‐5180 or email ugr@frontier.com.

Include a visit to the Museum following the tour. Museum tours are free, but donations are gratefully accepted.

Time: 9:00am

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 Open

The North Star Underground Railroad Museum is now open.
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

Harriet Tubman

Upcoming Events

Saturday, July 7

Wednesday, July 18

Saturday, July 21

Saturday, July 21

Saturday, August 4

Wednesday, August 15

Saturday, August 18

Saturday, September 1

Sunday, September 2

Saturday, September 15

Our Mission

Museum Open

Docents Needed

People & Places

We are Lighting Freedom's Road.