African American Lecture Series: The Underground Railroad In Eastern NC

June 20, 2024
7 – 8:30 p.m.
Cullman Performance Hall, NC History Center

Presented by Leesa Jones

The Underground Railroad was a complex and organized system of ‘veiled’ communication, secrecy and self-sacrifice that enabled local Freedom Seekers to self-emancipate from local plantations to diverse areas of this country, Canada, Mexico and beyond. Using documents, books, artifacts, music and ‘slave coded messages’ which could include food, clothing and plants, the audience will learn of the courage, brilliance, and creativity of those who sought their freedom from eastern North Carolina using the maritime underground railroad and overland routes.

The Duffy Gallery will be open prior to this Mrs. Jone’s presentation so that attendees may also view the Through Darkness to Light exhibition, that features a photography collection of 48 images that capture actual sites, cities and places that freedom seekers passed through in their journey to freedom.

About Leesa Jones – Ms. Jones co-founded the Washington Waterfront Underground Railroad Museum in Washington, NC, established in 2016. Leesa helped the City of Washington receive a designation from the National Park Service’s “Underground Network To Freedom Program,” in 2014. It is the only museum in North Carolina that is totally dedicated to the Underground Railroad and how it operated in eastern North Carolina.