The Post

Hosted by The National Park Service; National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom (NTF) Program; the Underground Railroad Consortium of New York State; the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area; the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center; Niagara University; and Association for the Study of African American Life and History

The theme for this training is Crossings: Bridging the Authentic Underground Railroad Past to the Present. The Underground Railroad can be viewed as a migration story of enslaved people who self-liberated and claimed their freedom. Niagara Falls is an internationally-known destination known for the natural phenomenon of one of the greatest waterfalls in the world. Lesser known, but equally as powerful, are the stories of the Underground Railroad in Niagara Falls and throughout New York State. Some of the most significant crossing points for persons escaping slavery in the South were in New York State along the border with Canada. Efforts to abolish the institution of slavery generated significant pro- and anti-slavery activities that played out in the courts, in the New York State legislature, in the halls of Congress, and on the streets and in the homes in our communities. This significant part of the Empire State’s history, and this history’s relevance with today, impact the historic, cultural, educational, and economic capacity of the state as well as the nation.

Workshops will be located in various classrooms throughout the campus. Vendors, breakfast, and lunch for registered members and students that have signed up to participate take place in the Russell J. Salvatore Dining Addition.

Please be advised that parking will be heavier than normal on these days.

 

• Thursday, September 12
  • Morning sessions will address the history of the Underground Railroad, the latest scholarship and interpretation, transnationalism, and the Underground Railroad in international context in the Atlantic World. Thursday afternoon the presentations will concentrate on protecting the authenticity of the Underground Railroad.

• Friday, September 13
  • Morning sessions will address the present and future of community economic development, and actualizing heritage tourism potential and community-driven approaches to provide sustainability to sites and their communities will be explored. Friday afternoon sessions will examine the relevance and legacy of the Underground Railroad, the significance of 19th Century Underground Railroad history to the 21st Century, and making community owners of the Underground Railroad history and using that history to empower communities.

• Students are encouraged to participate of their schedule allows.

Students may register at:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hH7axdktLs0psnYtm3jMIKlK1dtmwZm7UYAexGH9jMk/edit?usp=sharing

 

For more information on the event: www.asalh.org/underground-railroad-training