NCUGRHA Accomplishments

2011

World premier of Melissa Waddy-Thibodeaux's "Story of Lavinia Bell" at SUNY Plattsburgh and in Montreal, Canada, for the NCC/Charles H. Este Community Center.

Dedication of a Wayside panel recognizing the old Rouses Point Steamboat Landing as one of the most significant stops on the Underground Railroad in the Champlain Valley (watch the Home Town Cable video of the Wayside dedication).

Completion of work on the Heritage Center.

We moved into our new offices upstairs.

Grand Opening of the North Star Underground Railroad Museum.

2010

Initial stabilization work completed on the former Stephen Keese Smith barn in Peru, New York. It contains a hidden room where it is believed fugitives from slavery were hidden.

Initial archaeological dig at the former Stephen Keese Smith farm by Andy Black who supervised SUNY Plattsburgh and SUNY Potsdam students.

Construction work began on the Estes House at Ausable Chasm to transform it into the Town of Chesterfield Heritage Center and North Star Underground Railroad.

2009

Work began on renovations of the Estes House and its transformation into the Town of Chesterfield Heritage Center and North Star Underground Railroad Museum.

The National Park Service officially recognized the site of Rouses Point, New York’s former pier with its steamboat landing and railroad terminal as part of its Freedom to Freedom program.

2008

"And Some Were Women": A celebration of the contribution of women to the antislavery movement.

2007

Canal Splash! Rides on the Weatherwax ferry boat with stories and songs of the Champlain Line of the Underground Railroad.

2006

"One Story at a Time" photo exhibit of safe houses in six counties of northeastern New York by Laura Sells Doyle accompanied by stories.

2005

"Northward to Freedom" DVD, an introduction to the Champlain Line of the Underground Railroad