By Scott Tody
A tunnel that was believed to be a part of Underground Railroad, but had been hidden for many years has recently been unearthed at the Merrick Art Gallery.
NEW BRIGHTON – Get a taste of the past as New Brighton presents its Free Underground Railroad Walking Tour, on September 30.
A Kick-off Event will take place at Merrick Art Gallery on Sept. 29, featuring two historians. The first speaker is Laurence Glasco from the University of Pittsburgh, who will speak at 7 pm about the remarkable accomplishments of Pittsburgh’s runaway slaves. The second will feature Steven Cole as Frederick Douglass, a famous abolitionist. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at nbhistory.org. There will be refreshments served
Next day, on Sept. 30th, New Brighton Historical Society invites history enthusiasts to the Free Underground Railroad Walking Tour. It begins at 9:00 a.m. in 1612 Third Ave. – the former site of J&J Spratt. If you plan to walk, please sign up at the time of your arrival. First-come-first-served, the last tour leaves at 2 pm.
NBHS costumed members and volunteers will be providing information for the tours. The tours leave every fifteen minutes and stop at local Underground Railroad stations, a secret network of routes, safehouses, and other places that helped runaway enslaved individuals on their journeys into freedom.
The NBHS informs the participants of the tour that it includes one steep hill, and uneven sidewalks along the route.
The event will include historical displays, as well as food, beverage, and merchandise. WBVP Radio is broadcasting live during the event.
This tour also includes the Merrick Art Gallery, where an underground tunnel that was believed to be a part of Underground Railroad has been discovered. The entrance of a tunnel, which was excavated during the plumbing work at the Merrick, spanned the entire museum.
You can see the entrance to this tunnel during regular museum hours.
Michelle Long said, “We have just begun the installation of a new gazebo that will cover the entrance to the Merrick opening.” “The gazebo’s purpose is to conceal the entrance. After that, the bricks will need to be repaired. Right now, people are able to see the tunnel from above. The Underground tour ends here. People can peek into the tunnel from above, but the underground is still not open to the public.
Eight buildings/homes will be shown to participants on the 2.5 mile tour. These were either linked with abolitionists or part of an Underground Railroad.
Mike Spratt is the president of NBHS. He said: “School history is taught in a macro perspective.” The good, bad and ugly of historical figures, events and places are taught. However, local history and local involvement in major events is seldom discussed. This tour was started because we couldn’t answer a question from a student about New Brighton and the Underground Railroad.
New Brighton Tour is all about the role local people played in an event that was happening around them.
Spratt explained that those who attended the tour would have gained a deeper understanding of New Brighton’s modest role in helping to free people from slavery.
The event on opening night is more focused in the areas beyond New Brighton. Participants will learn about those who have built their lives and found freedom in Pittsburgh. Spratt added that they will also learn about Frederick Douglass’ life as a former slave, an abolitionist who made many trips to the Pittsburgh area.
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