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.

The Road to Freedom Circle

There are a limited number of ways to make an impact that lasts beyond a lifetime.
Supporting a road to freedom is one of those ways.

Over our first twelve years as we have successfully focused on our mission, we have seen growth in museum visitors, memberships, and donations. This momentum has positioned the organization to add and improve our museum exhibits as well as increase our outreach to area schools and organizations. Help us continue this growth for our second decade and decades to follow by making a lasting gift and commitment to the NCUGRHA.

2011–2021
The museum's first decade
Help us continue the mission for decades to come

Don and Vivian Papson dedication plaque

The Roads to a Lasting Gift

  • Gift from a Will or Estate Plan by including NCUGRHA in your will or trust.
  • Gift from a Retirement Plan or IRA by designating NCUGRHA as a retirement account beneficiary.
  • Gift of Life Insurance by designating NCUGRHA as a life insurance beneficiary.

Our founders and members of The Circle of Freedom, Don and Vivian Papson, share their perspective:

Don and Vivian Papson

The glowing lantern in a window of our North Star Underground Museum is a signal that you have arrived at a safe house.
Please generously join those of us in The Circle of Freedom with a lasting bequest to secure the future of our very special safe house.


The easiest approach to making a lasting gift is by inserting a paragraph into your will or trust. We can help you work out the details.

Example bequest language:

I give, devise and bequeath to the North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association, at 1131 Mace Chasm Road, Ausable Chasm 12911-1704 and federal tax ID 20-3472120, or its successors in interest, exclusive of my lifetime giving, if any, the sum of $______, to be used for its general purposes at the sole discretion of its trustees.

If you prefer to leave a percentage of your estate that remains after your gift to family and friends (the residuary estate), to the NCUGRHA use this example language:

I hereby give, devise and bequeath to the North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association, at 1131 Mace Chasm Road, Ausable Chasm 12911-1704 and federal tax ID 20-3472120, or its successors in interest, ____% of all the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, for use in its most urgent priorities as determined by its Board of Trustees.

Of course, your attorney may change these suggestions to suit your preferences.

For more information about including us in your will, or other estate plan, please contact Jim Kloiber(jkloiber@hotmail.com or by phone at 518-585-3215). Getting information and asking questions places you under no obligation to make a gift. Thank you for your interest in the future growth and success of the North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association!

If you are interested in making a one-time gift at this time, please visit our Donations page.