{"id":27679,"date":"2024-04-22T23:18:01","date_gmt":"2024-04-23T03:18:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/?p=27679"},"modified":"2024-09-10T13:13:56","modified_gmt":"2024-09-10T17:13:56","slug":"a-guide-to-fall-rivers-underground-railroad-stops","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vivafallriver.com\/support\/a-guide-to-fall-rivers-underground-railroad-stops\/","title":{"rendered":"A Guide to Fall River\u2019s Underground Railroad Stops"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Underground Railroad was a secret network of safe houses on the road to freedom in the north and eventually in Canada, where slavery was abolished. Some abolitionists opened their homes to runaway slaves and a series of conductors aided escaped slaves on the path to safety. The network was carried out at a great risk to all involved given the presence of the Fugitive Slave Law. This law meant that severe punishment for aiding in the search for freedom of an enslaved person was certain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fall River was <\/span>geographically implicated <\/span>in this network. Fugitive slaves from Norfolk, Virginia were documented as hiding in cargo ships that eventually docked in Wareham or New Bedford. For some, the journey brought them to Fall River before continuing on to Rhode Island and finally, Canada.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fall River was active in the conversations surrounding slavery. In 1834, 1,000 people gathered at the <\/span>Baptist Meeting House<\/span> in Fall River to establish the Anti-Slavery Society with lectures, concerts and fairs organized in support of the cause. The movement was not met with unanimous support, however, and protesters made their voices heard.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom<\/span> promotes the history of abolitionism and uncovers forgotten narratives related to forms of resistance to slavery. The National Park Service has compiled a list of over 700 Underground Railroad stops and Fall River is represented with the addition of the Dr. Isaac Fiske House to their registry in 2023.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For a visual history watch \u201cSafe Houses: The Underground Railroad in Fall River\u201d by Fall River Community Media <\/span>HERE.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Keep reading to learn more about Fall River\u2019s role in the Underground Railroad and plan your tour with the map below:<\/span><\/p>\n