Western Illinois played an integral role in the Underground Railroad that helped escaped slaves achieve freedom through the mid-1800s.
“Illinois was bordered by slave states, and as the enslaved people were brave enough to leave slavery and start for freedom, they came through Illinois, especially the western corridor because of its proximity to Missouri,” said Heather Feezor, Program Manager for Looking for Lincoln and the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area.
“The western part of the state is really a hub of Underground Railroad activity.”
Feezor spearheaded efforts to create the travelling exhibit, Journey to Freedom: Illinois' Underground Railroad. It can be seen at the Macomb Public Library through the end of November 2024.
Feezor said many freedom seekers who traveled through this region were headed to Chicago and eventually Canada, where slavery was illegal.
She said the Underground Railroad was a multi-racial movement.
“It was white individuals and free Blacks working together, collaborating to help freedom seekers, at great risk to themselves,” Feezor said.
“What they were doing was illegal. And if they were caught – and there are many instances where people were – they could faces severe fines, jail time, all sorts of different repercussions.”
The exhibit consists of large panels that tell the stories of places and people involved with the Underground Railroad, including:
- The city of Galesburg, which is described as one of the leading Underground Railroad locations in what was then considered the western U.S.
- Susan Richardson, an indentured servant in southern Illinois who escaped from that situation and became active in the Underground Railroad in Galesburg
- The city of Quincy, one of the most significant starting points on the Underground Railroad in Illinois
- Mary Ann King and Henry Brown, active leaders and conductors in the Underground Railroad in several locations around the state, including Quincy
- The city of Jacksonville, which has nine documented Underground Railroad sites
“There has been a lot of research done and still plenty more to do to uncover the stories because there are little nuggets of things that you can find if you really look hard,” Feezor said.
Macomb is one of the first stops for Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad, which will be displayed in several locations around the state during the course of the next year.
“What we really hope is that as this travels around, some communities might take it upon themselves to develop a more localized exhibit to go with it to talk about some of their local stories,” Feezor said.
Feezor hopes to hear from other communities and organizations that are also interested in hosting the exhibit. Contact info@illinoisugrr.org for more information.
Tri States Public Radio produced this story. TSPR relies on financial support from our readers and listeners in order to provide coverage of the issues that matter to west central Illinois, southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri. As someone who values the content created by TSPR's news department please consider making a financial contribution.