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Underground Railroad exhibit coming to Pontiac



A new exhibit highlighting the courageous stories of freedom seekers and the multi-racial conductors who assisted them on the Underground Railroad in Illinois is coming to Pontiac soon.


Stories are featured in Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad. This exhibit will be on view and open to the public at Pontiac Public Library January 31, 2025 through March 5, 2025. It is free and open to the public.


This exhibit tells selected stories of freedom seekers, conductors and communities in Illinois that were part of the journey to freedom on the Illinois Underground Railroad. Using photos, videos, maps, personal stories, and illustrations created specifically for the exhibit, visitors will learn the about the people and communities who took part in this hidden history.


Highlighted stories include freedom seekers John and Eliza Little, who traveled barefoot through Illinois to Canada to gain their freedom, or conductors like Henry who worked for Abraham Lincoln, and Mary Ann King Brown who helped the enslaved to freedom in the Springfield, Quincy and Galena areas.


Many of the known communities are included, from Cairo through Springfield to Quincy and Chicago. Other featured areas are Brooklyn/Freedom Village, Miller Grove, Rocky Fork, Galesburg, Mount Hope, Jacksonville and New Philadelphia.


Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad is proudly presented by The Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area, also known as Looking for Lincoln.


“We are so honored to share this new exhibit with the Pontiac area community,” said Sarah Watson, executive director of Looking for Lincoln. “Many of these Illinois Underground Railroad stories have not been shared in one place. It is so inspiring to learn more about the bravery of all these people who took so many risks to fight against slavery for the basic rights for themselves and others.”


"Our partnership with ALNHA as a Looking for Lincoln community has brought us invaluable resources but being chosen to host this exhibit is such an incredible honor.  We hope the community and visitors alike venture to our library to take in the exhibit and join us for one of the supplemental programming we are proud to offer," said Liz Vincent, director of Community Enrichment for the City of Pontiac. 


The exhibit will be available and open to the public during regular business hours at Pontiac Public Library, 211 E. Madison St. from January 31st until March 5th. In addition to 4 different programmed events, Pontiac Public Library will also be holding special story hours and has resources for educators and families to explore even more. 


For further information, visit illinoisugrr.org/pontiac-public-library or pontiacpubliclibrary.org or call the library at 815-844-7229

 

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