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.

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Home > NCUGRHA Events

Colors of Freedom Award 2023


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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 10 times

John Thomas Brook Marker Unveiling


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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 16 times

Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration 2022


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1 files, last one added on Sep 14, 2022
Album viewed 125 times

Solomon Northup Day 2022


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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 152 times

Don & Vivian Papson Recognition


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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 268 times

Tenth Anniversary Celebration


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

32 files, last one added on Sep 24, 2021
Album viewed 372 times

Women's Suffrage Centennial Auto Tour


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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 415 times

Juneteenth 2021


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Photos related to the North Star Underground Railroad Museum Juneteenth celebration

1 files, last one added on Jun 18, 2021
Album viewed 240 times

Herbert Estes Historical Marker Unveiling


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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 342 times

Deed Signing


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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 565 times

Computer Games Unveiling


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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 800 times

2017 Spirit of John Brown Freedom Awards


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On John Brown Day, the group John Brown Lives honors people who follow Brown's tradition of activism and human rights. This year two of the honorees were Don and Vivian Papson, founders of the North Star Underground Railroad Museum.

5 files, last one added on May 08, 2017
Album viewed 712 times

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Latest Additions - NCUGRHA Events
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Colors of Freedom in the North Country Award 2023Sep 24, 2023
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Colors of Freedom in the North Country Award 2023Sep 24, 2023
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Colors of Freedom in the North Country Award 2023Sep 24, 2023
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Colors of Freedom in the North Country Award 2023Sep 24, 2023
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Colors of Freedom in the North Country Award 2023Sep 24, 2023
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Colors of Freedom in the North Country Award 2023Sep 24, 2023
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Colors of Freedom in the North Country Award 2023Sep 24, 2023
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Colors of Freedom in the North Country Award 2023Sep 24, 2023