Underground Railroad
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Newton History Museum - The Newton History Museum presents permanent and changing exhibits on a variety of historic topics. Discover what life was like for New England’s earliest settlers. Learn about the abolition movement in Newton and how the Jackson family used their home as a stop on the Underground Railroad. The museum houses the Newton Historical Society and holds an extensive library and research collection. (Y, M, O, T)
John Brown Museum - Reverend Samuel Adair and his wife, Florella were peaceful abolitionists who came to Kansas and settled near Osawatomie, an abolitionist community and a center of conflict during “Bleeding Kansas.” The Adair cabin was a station on the Underground Railroad and Florella’s half brother, John Brown,used this cabin as his headquarters. The cabin survived the Battle of Osawatomie where John Brown and 30 free-state defenders fought 250 proslavery militia in 1856, and stands on the battle site today. Learn more about the Adairs, John Brown, and others who struggled to survive the border war when you visit the John Brown Museum. (Y, M, O, T)
Jordan House - The Jordan House is a restored Victorian Mansion that was the home of James Jordan, the founder of Valley Junction (which was later renamed West Des Moines). In the 1850’s and early 60’s, the home served as a station on the Underground Railroad. Today, it serves as a museum for the City of West Des Moines and as the offfice of the Historical Society. (Y, M, O, T)
Levi Coffin House - A part of the legendary Underground Railroad for fleeing slaves of pre-Civil War days, this registered National Historic Landmark is a Federal style brick home built in 1839. Levi and Catharine Coffin were legendary in helping many former slaves escape to freedom in the North. During the 20 years they lived in Newport, the Coffins helped more than 2,000 slaves reach safety. (Y, M, O, T)
Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt - Activities and web resource developed as part of the Schools of California Online Resources for Educators (SCORE) Project, funded by the California Technology Assistance Program (CTAP). This supplemental unit provides resources for students in third grade to focus on life as a slave in the United States in the last century. During these lessons, students will view slave cabins, design a quilt, write their own poem about slavery, make an escape plan, and produce a wanted poster for a runaway slave.Students will discover the motivation and risks that a runaway slave would have when traveling the underground railroad to freedom. Grade 3 (Y)
Slaves and conductors of the Underground Railroad - Learn why and how slaves escaped from their owners using the underground railroad, and who ran the underground railroad. Lots of online resources and activities. (Y, M, O, T)
Slavery and the Underground Railroad - Uses Follow the Drinking Gourd to discuss the Underground Railroad (Y,M)