Presentation on Underground Railroad in Allentown

“The Underground Railroad in Pennsylvania” will be the subject of a slideshow lecture at 1 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum, 432 W. Walnut St., Allentown.The “Underground Railroad” was a metaphor for a loose network of secret routes and safe houses that were used by black slaves to travel from slavery into freedom. While traditional concepts of the Underground Railroad often ignore the vital role of free blacks, historians are discovering the important role African-Americans played in helping slaves escape.Pennsylvania, with its southern border along Maryland and Delaware, played a critical role in the Underground Railroad. Philadelphia was also home to a significant community of free blacks.Many slaves escaping from the south, headed toward Philadelphia, where they found workers eager to help them travel further north. One route traveled through Quakertown, Bethlehem, Palmerton and Stroudsburg.This program is being held in conjunction with African American History Month. There is an admission fee to nonmembers. The program is funded in part by a Community Partnership grant from the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation.Visit

www.lehighvalleyheritagemuseum.org for more information.