Escape From Slavery Program at Parks-Bentley Place

About this event

On Saturday, July 18, the Moreau and South Glens Falls Historical Society will hold a special family program that walks visitors through the trials and tribulations that slaves might have faced along the Underground Railroad.

The program for children and adults gives insights into what a truly arduous trip north many slaves faced as they sought freedom. Children will be able to dress in period clothing, use farming utensils like those from the period, and even visit the space in the Parks-Bentley house where it is believed runaway slaves may have been hidden from those seeking to return them to the South.

While some scholars refute the use of specific quilts as signals for escaping slaves, there are other traditions that believe this activity was part of the Underground Railroad. The Parks-Bentley program includes the quilt-signaling as a piece of a long oral history of the use of such quilts.

The Escape from Slavery event begins at 12:30 pm and is free to the public, although donations are appreciated. Contributions go toward programs and building renovations at the historic Ferry Boulevard house that serves as the Society’s headquarters. Of the three oldest buildings in the area, Parks-Bentley is the only one open to the public. Tours of the historic house and grounds are also held on Saturdays throughout the summer from noon – 4 p.m.

For more information about the program or Parks-Bentley Place, visit the Society’s website at parksbentleyplace.org.