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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!

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Upcoming Events

June 29: John Brown: From The Horse's Mouth

Monday, June 29

Dr. Lou, actor Ian Barford, and Dr. Robert Tsai explore Brown's Declaration of Liberty, Provisional Constitution, and selected letters.

Zoom meeting; registration required.

Part of John Brown America 250. See flyer for more information.

Time: 7:00pm-8:30pm
July 3: Reading of the Declaration of Independence

Friday, July 3

Sons of the American Revolution, Valcour Battle Chapter and the Clinton County Historical Association present John Krueger, historian, delivering a dramatic, interpretive reading of the Declaration of Independence at Veterans Park, US Oval, Plattsburgh, NY.
Community participants include Cumberland Bay Chorus, Adirondack District Twin Rivers Council of Scouting America, Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York.
Honoring the 250th Anniversary of our nation's birth.
See flyer for more information.

Time: 10:00am
July 3: Altona 250 Celebration

Friday, July 3

Come Celebrate America's 250th birthday at the Armond Trudo Pavilion at the Altona Fire Department (480 Devils Den Rd, Altona, NY). Hosted by the Town of Altona.

Music and entertainment provided by DJ Flash. Ice Cream Social. Open to all.

See flyer for more information.

Time: 6:30pm
July 4: John Brown's Declaration of Liberty

Saturday, July 4

Actor Ian Barford will read John Brown's Declaration of Liberty and his Provisional Constitution for the Subterranean Pass-way community designed to break the system of slavery through hopelessness and attrition.

John Brown State Historic Site, 115 John Brown Rd, Lake Placid, NY

Part of John Brown America 250. See flyer for more information.

Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm
July 5: America's First Martyrs Day

Sunday, July 5

While celebrating the nation's 250th anniversary, remember the slain activists and protesters, of any era in U.S. history, and those slain in America whose untimely deaths led to positive changes in this nation as well as those who made extraordinary sacrifices for equal justice throughout their lifetime. They are American martyrs.

John Brown State Historic Site, 115 John Brown Rd, Lake Placid, NY

Part of John Brown America 250. See flyer for more information.

Time: 3:30pm-5:00pm

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 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

William Edward Burghardt Du Bois

Upcoming Events

Monday, June 29

Friday, July 3

Friday, July 3

Saturday, July 4

Sunday, July 5

Our Logo

Our Mission

Museum Open

Docents Needed

People & Places

We are Lighting Freedom's Road.