UNDERGROUND RAILROAD WALKING TOUR
Join us for our Third Biennial Underground Railroad Walking Tour
Presented by Heritage Valley Health System
Saturday, September 30, 2023 | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
All tours will start at J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 3rd Avenue, New Brighton, PA 15066
About the Event
We are thrilled to announce that our Third Biennial Underground Railroad Walking Tour presented by Heritage Valley Health System is back in 2023!
This year, we will kick the event off on Friday, September 29 at the Merrick Art Gallery with the presentation “After They Got Here: The Remarkable Accomplishments of Pittsburgh’s Runaway Slaves,” by Dr. Laurence Glasco, Associate Professor of the University of Pittsburgh’s History Department. See below for how to purchase tickets for this limited-attendance event.
The free 2.5 mile walking tour will take place the following morning on Saturday, September 30, where participants will see eight buildings/homes that were either part of New Brighton’s Underground Railroad or linked to famous abolitionists.
Schedule of Events
SOLD OUT
Guest Lecture by Dr. Laurence Glasco
Join the New Brighton Historical Society in welcoming Dr. Laurence Glasco for this inaugural opening night event as he presents his talk, “After They Got Here: The Remarkable Accomplishments of Pittsburgh’s Runaway Slaves.”
The story of the Underground Railroad does not end with their safe arrival. At least in Pittsburgh, the story includes what came next: a truly remarkable set of accomplishments that won admiration and praise from white neighbors of the former slaves as they settled in the city, particularly in the then racially mixed Hill District. A special guest appearance will be made by Frederick Douglass portrayed by Steven A. Cole.
Tickets for this event will limited, so please stay tuned for more information on how to purchase.
A special thank you to the Merrick Art Gallery team for helping to make this event possible.
When:
Friday, September 29, 2023
Time:
7:00–9:00 PM
Where:
Merrick Art Gallery, 1100 5th Avenue, New Brighton, PA 15066
Tickets:
$10 per person — SOLD OUT
Underground Railroad Walking Tour
The Third Biennial Underground Railroad Walking Tour will take place on Saturday, September 30, 2023. The 2.5 mile guided walking tour will allow participants to see eight buildings/homes that were either part of the Underground Railroad or linked to famed abolitionists.
This year, attendees will also have the opportunity enjoy a live reenactment of Frederick Douglass presented by historical actor Steven A. Cole of Freeport, Michigan.
Few know that tiny New Brighton played a major role in helping guide enslaved people to freedom, but history lovers Odette Lambert and the late Ken Locke, helped unearth New Brighton’s Underground Railroad legacy, the historical figures involved, and the remaining rare locations still in existence.
Historical information and displays will be available for viewing, as well as food, beverages, and merchandise for sale onsite.
When:
Saturday, September 30, 2023
Time:
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Tours will depart every 15 minutes on a first-come, first-served basis.
Where:
All tours will start at J&J Spratt Funeral Home at 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton, PA 15066
Tickets:
This event is free of charge, though donations are welcomed. Participants are required to sign up for a time slot at registration on the day of the event.
FAQs
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The Underground Railroad Walking Tour is about 2.5 miles long and last roughly 2.5 hours. It is recommended that all tour participants wear comfortable walking shoes.
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Because the tour covers a number of uneven sidewalks, brick paths, and steep hills, the Underground Railroad Walking Tour is not wheelchair accessible.
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We are currently withholding all private tours for the remainder of 2023. With our public biennial Underground Railroad Walking Tour only a few months away, our small team with limited resources has decided to focus our efforts on making this event the best it can be.
Following the event, we will refocus our efforts to private tours for 2024 and hope that you can join us then.
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Yes, we currently have sponsorship opportunities available for our 2023 event. Please download our sponsorship packet to learn more.
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All volunteer positions have been filled for this year’s event.
Thank You to Our 2023 Tour Sponsors
PRESENTING SPONSOR
SAFE HOUSE SPONSOR
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD CHAMPION
Generous donations provided by RS Bellco Federal Credit Union and the New Brighton United Croatian Club
Sponsorship Opportunities
Interested in becoming a sponsor for the 2023 Underground Railroad Walking Tour? Check out the available list of opportunities below.
The Eight Underground Railroad
Sites in New Brighton
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James Edgar House
1034 5TH AVENUE
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Merrick Art Gallery
1100 5TH AVENUE
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Dr. David Stanton House
1300 3RD AVENUE
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Sarah Jane Lippincott’s White Cottage
1221 3RD AVENUE
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First Presbyterian Church of New Brighton
1199 3RD AVENUE
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Robert Townsend House
1612 3RD AVENUE
Currently J&J Spratt Funeral Home -
Irish-Townsend House
1229 7TH AVENUE
Currently owned by the New Brighton Historical Society -
William P. Townsend House
1205 PENN AVENUE
Currently Dr. Lambert’s Optometry Office
NETWORK TO FREEDOM PROGRAM
The New Brighton Historical Society is a partner of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program and the J&J Spratt Funeral Home is an officially recognized site on the Network to Freedom.