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.

Nominate a person, business, organization, or politician for the North Country Juneteenth Colors of Freedom Community Award. Submit the nomination form by May 31, 2023.

Past Programs/Events

Date Time Description
May 27 10:00am The John Brown Farm State Historic Site, with the Volunteers at Fort Tribute, and in cooperation of The Sons of Union Veterans, the Town of North Elba and independent scholar Amy Godine, will remember North Elba resident William Appo Jr. who sacrificed his life in the Civil War. Directly after the ceremonial wreath laying at the Appo Family plot grave, celebrants are invited to the John Brown Farm Lower Barn. Amy Godine will discuss other Black Adirondackers who, like Appo, fought in white regiments for the Union notwithstanding laws that excluded them.
Town of North Elba Cemetery
See flyer for more information.
May 21 12:00pm–
4:00pm
The Landmarks Conservancy's 13th Annual Sacred Sites Open House celebrating New York's diverse historic houses of worship. This year's theme, Congregations and Communities: 50 Years of Sacred Sites, seeks to highlight how sacred sites create community connections through the services they offer, social ties they create, and the spaces they provide for people from all walks of life.
The First Congregational Church in Malone will be participating and will be open May 20, Saturday, from 11 to 5 and May 21, Sunday, from noon to 4 pm and it's free. This church participated in the Underground Railroad during the nineteenth century.
See flyer for more information.
May 20 11:00am–
5:00pm
The Landmarks Conservancy's 13th Annual Sacred Sites Open House celebrating New York's diverse historic houses of worship. This year's theme, Congregations and Communities: 50 Years of Sacred Sites, seeks to highlight how sacred sites create community connections through the services they offer, social ties they create, and the spaces they provide for people from all walks of life.
The First Congregational Church in Malone will be participating and will be open May 20, Saturday, from 11 to 5 and May 21, Sunday, from noon to 4 pm and it's free. This church participated in the Underground Railroad during the nineteenth century.
See flyer for more information.
February 24 4:00pm–
5:00pm
SUNY Plattsburgh celebrates Black History Month. Featuring Jacqueline Madison, President and Director of the North Country Underground Railroad Historical Museum.
Alumni Conference Room, Angell College Center, SUNY Plattsburgh
See event flyer and SUNY Plattsburgh Black History Month flyer for more information.
February 24 9:00am–
5:00pm
If you are in the Clinton County area of upstate New York, you might be interested in visiting the Lemmon Case Exhibit at the Clinton County Government Center (137 Margaret Street, Plattsburgh), 1st Floor (Veteran/Board of Election/Historical Office Hallway) February 14 thru February 24.
The Lemmons were moving from Virginia to Texas with 8 slaves ages 2 to 23. They left Virginia and stopped in New York City in 1852. New York was a free state, although southern slave owners expected the northern states to abide by the Fugitive Slave Act. However, the Lemmons had voluntarily brought their slaves into the state. This case would be a spark to the Civil War.
The Historical Society of the New York Courts designed this exhibit that includes banners and a video that is narrated by James Earl Jones. You will learn that the individual who would initiate the case was an illiterate black man.
February 21 5:00pm–
7:00pm
SUNY Plattsburgh presents the Black History Month Mardi Gras Masquerade Dinner Party. Featuring DJ SHA.
Clinton Dining Hall, 81 Rugar Street, Plattsburgh, New York
Students dine free when using meal swipe; $10 if paying by credit/debit. Community and family members welcome.
See event flyer and SUNY Plattsburgh Black History Month flyer for more information.
December 9,
2022
6:30pm The public is invited to the Plattsburth premiere of "The Back Door," a collaboration between Janet McFetridge, social justice activist and recipient of the 2019 Spirit of John Brown Freedom Award; Paula Allen, photographer; and Adrian Carr, composer/pianist.
Newman Center, 90 Broad Street, Plattsburgh.
Suggested donation: $10. If you are able, please bring a small item of outerwear (gloves, hats, scarves) or a small stuffed animal that Janet can pass along to refugees.
See flyer or email dmwardell76@gmail.com for more information.
Sponsored by Plattsburgh Cares.
October 8,
2022
1:00pm–
4:00pm
James Lancel McElhinney, author of the Sketchbook Traveler book series, will teach the concepts and techniques behind topographical watercolor landscape painting that were practice by Thomas Davies, Thomas Pownall, and other British military officers who documented the terrain of Crown colonies along the Atlantic seaboard.
Crown Point State Historic Site, 21 Grandview Drive, Crown Point, NY
No prior training required. Adults 18 years + are welcome. Some materials will be provided.
Register at Needlewatcher Marketplace.
Visit the Crown Point State Historic Site website for more information.
September 21,
2022
7:00pm Speaker Mark Barie will discuss his latest novel, The Commodore and the Powder Monkey, about a young girl, disguised as a boy, on Commodore McDonough's flag ship during the War of 1812. As a result of writing this book, Mark has assembled this presentation.
Keeseville Fire Department, 8 Pleasant Street, Keeseville, New York.
Sponsored by the Anderson Falls Heritage Society. See flyer for information.
September 10,
2022
1:00pm–
4:00pm
James Lancel McElhinney, author of the Sketchbook Traveler book series, will teach the concepts and techniques behind topographical watercolor landscape painting that were practice by Thomas Davies, Thomas Pownall, and other British military officers who documented the terrain of Crown colonies along the Atlantic seaboard.
Crown Point State Historic Site, 21 Grandview Drive, Crown Point, NY
No prior training required. Adults 18 years + are welcome. Some materials will be provided.
Register at Needlewatcher Marketplace.
Visit the Crown Point State Historic Site website for more information.