Web Explainer: The Underground Railroad in Central New York The history of the Underground Railroad in Central New York

The Underground Railroad was a network that guided thousands of slaves to freedom in the north.

This network was composed of African Americans and whites that lived on the route to the north.

They called themselves conductors. Their homes were known as stations.

Harriet Tubman is the most famous conductor of the Underground Railroad.

Tubman was a slave known as “Minty” in Maryland. This was the notice posted after she escaped.

Once free, she settled in Auburn, New York.

Her home is now a museum in Central New York.

Because of its location, Central New York was an important part of the Underground Railroad.

All over the city of Syracuse you can find traces of this history.

In Clinton Square, stands a large monument of the rescue of William “Jerry” Henry.

Jerry was detained and jailed for being a fugitive slave.

This jail was located across from today’s Clinton Square.

A group of Syracuse abolitionist rescued Jerry out of jail.

The Jerry Rescue Monument symbolizes the celebration of the abolitionist movement.