The Underground Railroad Museum That’s So Worth The Trip From Cleveland
Now the river bank makes a mighty good road, the dead trees will show you the way. Left foot, peg foot, traveling on, follow the drinking gourd. If you’ve ever heard this American folk tune, it likely sent chills down your spine. Legend has it that this tune was sung by slaves in the Alabama area, and encoded in its lyrics are directions to the Ohio River — and freedom. The drinking gourd, many have realized, is not referring to the hollow gourd rural Americans used to draw water, but instead to the Big Dipper constellation, a collection of stars that points North.
For many that dared take the path to the Underground Railroad, those very stars may have lit the way to “conductors” like Peg Leg Joe, the peg-legged individual referenced in the song. Many such individuals took fugitives to the shores of Lake Erie, making Northeast Ohio a site full of former Underground Railroad stations.
Once upon a time, this gorgeous home was a stop on the underground railroad.
The warehouse was located on the shore of the Ashtabula River, and it was here that many fugitive slaves crossed into Canada and tasted freedom for the first time.
How did the Hubbard family get involved in such a cause? It all ties into the bravery of William Hubbard.
William traveled here from Trenton, Oneida County, New York on behalf of his uncle, one of the founders of the Connecticut Land Company. Mere weeks after settling into his new community, Hubbard joined the Ashtabula County Anti-Slavery Society.
The home, which was built in roughly 1841, housed many fugitive slaves, but no written record exists to quantify the number.
It's easy to imagine William and his acquaintances reading the Ashtabula Sentinel, an Abolitionist newspaper founded by William's brothers, in this historic home. Surrounded by exhibits and historical relics, the emotions of a bygone era still feel fresh in this pretty home.
Once codenamed Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard and The Great Emporium, this historic site was actually scheduled to be razed in 1979.
A group of passionate locals (including William and Katharine’s great-great-grandson) rallied to save and restore the property. Their efforts have resulted in a beautiful environment that moves and captivates visitors to this day.
Today, this northern terminus of the Underground Railroad is a museum, offering a glimpse back in time.
You can almost feel the weight of William and his wife Katharine's kindness in their former home. Witnesses reported that fugitives came to the house throughout the day an night, and the family kept them hidden with great care. One witness even claimed to have seen as many as 39 slaves in hiding on the property!
Nothing offers a look back in time quite like a restored 1840s home filled with Underground Railroad mementos and Civil War-era antiques.
Countless personal items tell the tale of Northeast Ohio in a bygone era. You'll find an unprecedented glimpse back in time to events like the Great Ashtabula Train Bridge Disaster of 1876, the worst train bridge disaster in our nation's history, alongside photographs and memorabilia of the area over the years.
Swing by Friday through Sunday between 1 and 5 p.m. for a glimpse through history.
Looking to take a tour? Click here to begin planning.
For many successful escapees on the Underground Railroad, Ohio would have been their last glimpse at our country before escaping to freedom. Do you have an Underground Railroad station in your hometown? Share the story in the comments!
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
