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Underground Railroad Comes to Life in Pittsburgh with “Quest for Freedom Live & Learn Weekends”
02-06-2008
PITTSBURGH – Four exciting and informative weekends will highlight the historic Underground Railroad in southwestern Pennsylvania. Participants are invited to discover and understand issues faced in Pennsylvania during the antebellum era and the Civil War through “Live & Learn Weekends” at key sites.
The weekends include a selected book discussion, special guest speakers and a docent-led tour of institutions and locations committed to telling the story of the Underground Railroad.
“The Underground Railroad was undoubtedly one of the most significant forms of activism in our nation’s history, and Western Pennsylvania was a major thoroughfare for enslaved people seeking freedom,” said Joe McGrath, president and CEO of VisitPittsburgh. “These Live & Learn Weekends are an ideal way to learn about the important role Western Pennsylvania played in the Underground Railroad while enjoying Pittsburgh and Its Countryside.”
These special “Quest for Freedom Live & Learn Weekends” are included with regular admission to the attractions. Refreshments will be served, and all participants will receive a free copy of that weekend’s featured book.
“Live & Learn Weekends” Schedule
Feb. 8 & 9 – Senator John Heinz History Center, Pittsburgh
Book discussion: “The Price of a Child” by Lorene Cary.
Speaker topic: Salute to Martin R. Delany, highly regarded “superintendent” of Pennsylvania’s Underground Railroad.
Tour: Heinz History Center’s Underground Railroad exhibit.
April 4 & 5 – Senator John Heinz History Center, Pittsburgh
Book discussion: “The Colors of Courage” by Margaret Creighton.
Special presentation: First-person portrayal of Martin R. Delany provided by Jump Street Inc.
Tour: Heinz History Center’s Underground Railroad exhibit.
June 20 & 21 – The LeMoyne House and Washington & Jefferson College, Washington County
Book discussion: “Forever Free” by Eric Foner.
Special presentation: First-person portrayal of Martin R. Delany provided by Jump Street Inc.
Tour: The LeMoyne House, the first National Historic Landmark of the Underground Railroad in Pennsylvania. Francis LeMoyne practiced medicine by day and led the region’s abolitionist movement by night.
Aug. 15 & 16 – Blairsville Underground Railroad, Indiana County
Book discussion: “Lincoln on Democracy” edited by Mario Cuomo and Harold Holzer.
Special presentation: First-person portrayal of Martin R. Delany provided by Jump Street Inc.
You can find out more about Western Pennsylvania’s role in the Underground Railroad by visiting www.visitpittsburgh.com. Click on “Visitors and Residents” and then go to “Underground RR.” Here, you will find information on historical sites, civil war monuments, special events and exhibits and other African American attractions in the region.
To register for the Live & Learn Weekends, contact Senator John Heinz History Center’s Community Programs Director Terri Blanchette at tsblanchette@hswp.org or 412-454-6411.
For more information on a weekend getaway to Pittsburgh, including the Live & Learn programming and hotel accommodations, go to www.visitpittsburgh.com or call 1-877-LOVE PGH.
VisitPittsburgh is dedicated to generating conventions, trade show and leisure travel business for the Pittsburgh regio
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