National Underground Railroad Freedom Center- Cincinnati, Ohio

The Freedom Center covers not only the era of slavery and all its limbs but also delves into women’s rights and accomplishments, Native American removal and resistance revolts, Civil War, and Reconstruction.

This vignette shows men displaying and haggling over the price and condition of human chattel. Chained African men are shown clearly exhausted from their torturous, shackled journey across sea.

A life size exhibit of an authentic slave pen. This pen was discovered at a farm in Mason County KY. Most of the wood is authentic with some timbers being replaced where needed. It was owned by Capt. John H. Anderson. This was a temporary holding site until slaves walked 750 miles to a place known as “Forks in the Road” to be auctioned off in Mississippi.

Found at Maplewood farm in Boone, County KY, this cast-iron pot most likely was used to feed slaves to give them nourishment. Cast iron pots were used by Europeans and Africans.  Africans referred to it as “potjie” (pot food).  Cast iron cookware is still a favorite today.

Bounty for a runaway slave

Dates of various atrocities that took place during the fight for freedom.

Exodusters-After being freed many former slaves exited (Exodus) their former slave homes seeking to buy land and set up homes and jobs of their own.  One such person was William “Pap” Singleton. Born into slavery he escaped to Canada later returning and opening a boarding house in Detroit. Other former slaves often joined together incorporating into towns. Some former towns were Africa Town, Rosewood, Sugarland and others.

Elijah Parrish Lovejoy gave his life as an abolitionist. Thinking free states would agree with him regarding the lynching of a Black man, he published the St. Louis Observer which constantly spoke against slavery. His press was destroyed three times by an anti-abolitionist mob. On the third time he was shot and killed.

William Lloyd Garrison, editor of The Liberator wrote against slavery and other unjust causes.

Those in league with the freedom of slaves most often provided “safe houses.” Often, they were hidden in cellars, barns, underground tunnels and hidden panels in floors and walls. Various clues were left in view for escapees to detect a safe house. A lantern may have been left in the window. A shawl thrown across a clothesline might signal a safe house.

Though much traveling was done on foot, other sympathizers against slavery might usher the slaves by hiding them in a false bottom of a wagon.

The Freedman’s Bank and Trust was established to teach the newly freed how to handle finances and encouraging them to save and gain capital with their funds. This was the first bank many had dealt with. Unfortunately, many lost their money through mishandling of funds and swindle. Frederick Douglass tried to help by investing $10,000 of his own money but, it was too little too late.

This former slave dealer’s home is scheduled to become a luxury golf course with slave quarters serving as bed and breakfast cottages.

So much to be seen and so much education. I could not digest it all with one visit. I was pleased with what I did learn and thirst for more.

In a later post I will address modern day slavery which was also covered at the Freedom Center. 

That's it***