The North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association is raising funds to save a slice of history.
Our goal is to purchase the former property of Quaker Abolitionist and Underground Railroad Conductor Stephen Keese Smith. See flyer for more information.

Photo Gallery

Home > NCUGRHA Events

Distinguished Service Awards 2023


DistinguishedServiceAwards01.jpg

SUNY Plattsburgh honored Jacqueline Madison, president of the North Country Underground Railroad Association, and Keith Tyo, retired SUNY Plattsburgh chief of staff, with the Distinguished Service Award.

2 files, last one added on Dec 18, 2023
Album viewed 29 times

Colors of Freedom Award 2023


IMG_7572.JPG

Dr. Dexter L. Criss was the inaugural recipient of the Colors of Freedom in the North Country Award from the North Star Underground Railroad. He was nominated by Aisha Stanyon. The award was presented after the gospel choir sang at SUNY Plattsburgh Community Night, September 22, 2023.

16 files, last one added on Sep 24, 2023
Album viewed 78 times

John Thomas Brook Marker Unveiling


JohnThomasBrookMarker-08.jpg

The unveiling of a marker at John Thomas Brook (formerly called Negro Brook). John Thomas escaped from slavery in Maryland c. 1840 and lived near this brook in Vermontville as a prosperous farmed and respected citizen.

19 files, last one added on Sep 17, 2023
Album viewed 86 times

Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration 2022


rose-and-allison-bop-2022.jpg

1 files, last one added on Sep 14, 2022
Album viewed 173 times

Solomon Northup Day 2022


solomon-northup-day-2022-photo-03.jpg

Solomon Northup Day virtual celebration at the North Star Underground Railroad Museum. Video available on YouTube.

3 files, last one added on Jul 11, 2022
Album viewed 200 times

Don & Vivian Papson Recognition


Papsons02.jpeg

A ceremony recognizing Don and Vivian Papson, founders of the North Star Underground Railroad Museum

6 files, last one added on Dec 07, 2021
Album viewed 318 times

Tenth Anniversary Celebration


DSCN5850.JPG

Photos from the Tenth Anniversary Celebration of The North Star Underground Railroad Museum.

32 files, last one added on Sep 24, 2021
Album viewed 439 times

Women's Suffrage Centennial Auto Tour


DSCN5527.JPG

Photos from the Champlain Valley Women's Suffrage Centennial Auto Tour. Visit
Champlain Valley Women for more information.

91 files, last one added on Aug 02, 2021
Album viewed 482 times

Juneteenth 2021


juneteenth-flag-north-star-museum-2021.jpg

Photos related to the North Star Underground Railroad Museum Juneteenth celebration

1 files, last one added on Jun 18, 2021
Album viewed 271 times

Herbert Estes Historical Marker Unveiling


HerbertEstesHistoricalMarker.jpg

Herbert Estes was the superintendent of the Ausable Chasm Horse Nail Works Company. He also served in the Civil War and was captured in Salisbury, North Carolina. This was a Confederate prison that housed over 6,000 men. Conditions were horrible. Herbert Estes kept a diary while he was in the prison. Later, after his release, he read his entire diary in Congress.
Herbert's wife was Harriet. When the Ausable Chasm Horse Nail Works Company was operating, most of the employees were women. At one time, there were three buildings near the present house. These buildings were used to house employees. Herbert grew up as a Quaker and, according to his grandson, was an abolitionist. He was a member of the Baptist Church when he lived in the Keeseville area.

1 files, last one added on Oct 12, 2020
Album viewed 374 times

Deed Signing


IMG_4597.JPG

President Jackie Madison signed the deed to make the North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association the sole owner of the Estes House. Founders, Don and Vivian Papson were present for the momentous occasion.

3 files, last one added on Jun 26, 2019
Album viewed 610 times

Computer Games Unveiling


IMG_4459.JPG

Three computer games invented by Keeseville Elementary School's enrichment program students for our Children's Table were unveiled on May 21, 2019.
See Press Release.

25 files, last one added on May 22, 2019
Album viewed 864 times

24 albums on 2 page(s) 1

Latest Additions - NCUGRHA Events
DistinguishedServiceAwards02.jpg
SUNY Plattsburgh Winter 2023 CommencementDec 18, 2023
DistinguishedServiceAwards01.jpg
Jacqueline Madison and Keith TyoDec 18, 2023
IMG_7572.JPG
Colors of Freedom in the North Country Award 2023Sep 24, 2023
IMG_7571.JPG
Colors of Freedom in the North Country Award 2023Sep 24, 2023
IMG_7569.JPG
Colors of Freedom in the North Country Award 2023Sep 24, 2023
IMG_7567.JPG
Colors of Freedom in the North Country Award 2023Sep 24, 2023
IMG_7563.JPG
Colors of Freedom in the North Country Award 2023Sep 24, 2023
IMG_7562.JPG
Colors of Freedom in the North Country Award 2023Sep 24, 2023