Underground Railroad Websites
- The Underground Railroad
- Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad
- The Friends of Freedom Society – Ohio Underground Railroad Association
- Voices from the Days of Slavery (Library of Congress)
- Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers Project (Library of
Congress ) - African-American Women, Online Archival Collections (Duke University)
- African American Sheet Music, 1820-1920 (Brown University)
- African American Newspapers: The 19th Century (Accessible Archives) *Subscription only
- Geography of Slavery in Virginia (University of Virginia)
- Census Database in Valley of the Shadow: Two Communities in the American Civil War (University of Virginia)
- Slavery and the Making of America (Thirteen/WNET New York)
- Slavery in New York (New York Historical Society)
- History Matters: The U.S. Survey on the Web (George Mason University)
- ED Sitement: The Best of the Humanities on the Web (National Endowment for the
Humanities & the Marco Polo Foundation)
Underground Railroad Books for Adults
- Anquandah, Kwesi J. Castles and Forts of Ghana. Atalante, Ghana: Ghana Museums and Monuments Board.
- Ball, Edward. Slaves in the Family. Thorndike, ME: G. K. Hall, 1999, c1998.
- Blockson, Charles. Underground Railroad. NY: Prentice Hall Press. Division of Simon & Schuster, 1998.
- Bok, Francis. Escape From Slavery. NY: St. Martin’s Press, c2003.
- Bontemps, Arna. Great Slave Narratives. Boston: Beacon Press, 1969.
- Bradford, Sarah. Harriet Tubman: The Moses of Her People. Bedford, MA: Applewood Books, 1993.
- Bradford, Sarah. The Moses of Her People: Harriet Tubman. Gloucester, MA: Peter Smith, 1981.
- Butler, Nancy & Power, Michael. Slavery and Freedom in Niagara. Ontario: The Niagara Historical Society, 1993.
- Clinton, Catherine. Harriet Tubman: The Road to Freedom. NY: Little Brown & Co., 2004.
- Franklin, John Hope. In Search of the Promised Land: A Black Family and the Old South. NY: Oxford University Press, 2006.
- Franklin, John Hope. Mirror to America: The Autobiography of John Hope Franklin. NY: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2005.
- Gates, Henry Lewis, Jr. Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience. NY: Basic Civitas Books, 1999.
- Gayla, Sharon. Harriet Tubman and The Freedom Train. NY: Aladdin Paperbacks, 2002.
- Hartman, Saidiya. Lose Your Mother: A Journey Along the Atlantic Slave Route. NY: Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2007.
- Hine, Darlene Clark. The African-American Odyssey. NY: Prentice Hall, 2002.
- Jacobs, Harriet and Myrlie Evers-Williams. Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. Signet Classics, 2000.
- Kallen, Stuart A. Life on the URR. NY: Greenhaven Press, 2000.
- McGovern, Ann. Wanted Dead or Alive: The True Story of Harriet Tubman. NY:
- Rebound by Sagebrush, 1999.
- Pettit, Eber M. Sketches in the History of the Underground Railroad. Chautauqua Region Press, 1999.
- Rennert, Richard, ed. Shapers of America: Profiles of Great Black Americans (Harriet Tubman). Chelsea House Publishers, 1992.
- Siebert, Wilbur H. The Underground Railroad: From Slavery to Freedom. London: MacMillan, 1899.
- Still, William. Underground Railroad: A Record of Facts, Authentic Narratives, Letters, Sc. Chicago: Johnson Publishing Company, 1970.
- Thomas, Owen A. Niagara’s Freedom Trail: A Guide to African-Canadian History on the Niagara Peninsula. NY: Region Niagara Tourist Council, 1995.
- Washington, Booker T. Up From Slavery. Robinson Books, 2002.
- Wheatley, Phyillis, edited with an introduction by Julian D. Mason, Jr. The Poems of Phyllis Wheatley. University of North Carolina Press, 1989.
- Wray, John. Canaan’s Tongue. NY, NY: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005.
Underground Railroad Books for Children & Youth
- Adler, David. A Picture Book of Harriet Tubman. New York: Scholastic, 1992.
- Armstrong, Jennifer. Steal Away. New York: Orchard Books, 1992.
- Ayres, Katherine. North by Night. New York: Delacorte Press, 1998.
- Bains, Rea. The Road to Freedom. NJ: Troll Assoc., 1982.
- Benjamin, Anne. Young Harriet Tubman: Freedom Fighter. NJ: Troll Assoc., 1992.
- Bently, Judith. Harriet Tubman: An Impact Biography. NY, NY: Franklin Watts, 1990.
- Brill, Marlene Targ. Allen Jay and the Underground Railroad. Minnesota: Carolrhoda Books, c1993.
- Bial, Rayond. The Underground Railroad. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1995.
- Carbone, Elisa. Stealing Freedom. NY: Knopf, 1998.
- Carlson, Judy. Harriet Tubman: Call to Freedom. NY: Fawcette Columbine, 1989.
- Carter, Polly. Harriet Tubman and Black History Month. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Silver Press, 1990.
- Clark, Margaret Goff. Freedom Crossing. NY: Scholastic, Inc., c1980.
- Edwards, Pamela Duncan. Barefoot: Escape on the Underground Railroad. New York: Harper Collins, 1997.
- Ferris, Jeri. Go Free or Die, A Story About Harriet Tubman. Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda Books, Inc., 1988.
- Ferris, Jeri. Walking the Road to Freedom: A Story about Sojourner Truth. Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda Books, Inc., c.1988.
- Freedman, Florence B. Two Tickets to Freedom: The True Story of Ellen and William Craft, Fugitive Slaves. NY: Simon and Schuster, 1971.
- Gayle, Sharon Shavers. Escape! A Story of the Underground Railroad. Norwalk, CT: Soundprints, c1999.
- Gresko, Marcia. Harriet Tubman. Huntington Beach: Teacher Created Materials Inc., 1997.
- Hamilton, Virginia. Many Thousand Gone: African Americans from Slavery to Freedom. New York: Knopf, 1993.
- Haskins, Jim. Get On Board: The Story of the UGRR. New York: Scholastic, 1993.
- Hopkinson, Deborah. Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt. New York: Knopf, 1993.
- Humphreville, Frances. Harriet Tubman, Flame of Freedom. Boston: Houghton Miffin Co., 1967.
- Johnson, Dolores. Now Let Me Fly: The Story of A Slave Family. NY: Macmillan, 1993.
- Jurmain, Suzanne. Freedom’s Sons: The True Story of the Amistad Mutiny. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1968.
- Kelton, Nancy. Rebel Slave. Milwaukee: Raintree Publishers, 1977.
- Lasky, Kathryn. True North: A Novel of the Underground Railroad. NY: Scholastic, c1996.
- Lawrence, Jacob. Harriet and the Promised Land. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1968.
- Lester, Julius. From Slave Ship to Freedom Road. New York: Dial Books, c 1998.
- Levine, Ellen. If You Traveled on the Underground Railroad. NY: Scholastic, 1988.
- Loesch, Joe and Cheryl J. Hutchinson (Editor). The Underground Railroad Featuring Harriet Tubman: With Buffalo Biff and Farley’s Raiders (Backyard Adventures/Time Travelers Series, 5. NY: Toy Box Productions, 2003.
- Lyons, Mary E. Letters from a Slave Girl: The Story of Harriet Jacobs. New York: Scribner’s, c 1992.
- McCurdy, Michael, ed. Escape from Slavery: The Boyhood of Frederick Douglass in his own Words. NY: Knopf, c1994.
- McGovern, Anne. Wanted Dead or Alive: The True Story of Harriet Tubman. New York: Scholastic, 1965.
- McKissack, Patricia. A Picture of Freedom. NY: Scholastic, 1997.
- McLoone, Margo. Harriet Tubman: A Photo Illustrated Biography. Mankato: Bridgestone Press, 1997.
- McLoone, Margo. Sojourner Truth: A Photo Illustrated Biography. Mankato: Bridgestone Press, 1997.
- McMullan, Kate. Conductor of the Underground Railroad: The Story of Harriet Tubman. New York: Dell Publishing, 1991.
- Meyer, Linda D. They Called Me Moses: Harriet Tubman. New York: Dell Publishing, 1988.
- Monjo, F.N. The Drinking Gourd. USA: Harper Collins, 1993.
- Moore, Kay. If You Lived at The Time of the Civil War. NY: Scholastic, 1994.
- Olenyik, Barbara. A Good Night for Freedom. NY: Holiday House, 2003.
- Petry, Ann. Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad. New York: Harper Trophy, 1996. (See other resources also.)
- Petry, Ann. Harriet Tubman: Conductor on The Underground Railroad. New York: Pocket Books, Division of Simon & Schuster, 1971.
- Ransom, Candice. Liberty Street. NY: Walker & Company, 2003.
- Rappaport, Doreen. Escape from Slavery: Five Journeys to Freedom. NY: Harper Collins, c1991.
- Riggio, Anita. Secret Signs: Along the Underground Railroad. PA: Boyd Mills Press, 1997.
- Ringgold, Faith. Aunt Harriet’s Underground Railroad in the Sky. NY: Crown Publishers, 1992.
- Smucker, Barbara. Runaway to Freedom. NY: Harper & Row, c1977.
- Stein, R. Conrad. Cornerstone of Freedom: The Story of the Underground Railroad. Chicago: Children’s Press, 1981.
- Sterling, Dorothy. Freedom Train. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc., 1954.
- Taylor, M.W. Black Americans of Achievement Harriet Tubman Antislavery Activist. New York: Chelsea House, 1991.
- Tilley-Turner, Glennette. Running for Our Lives. New York: Holiday House, c 1994.
- Whelan, Gloria. Friend on Freedom River. MI: Sleeping Bear Press, 2004.
- Winter, Jeanette. Follow the Drinking Gourd. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.,
- 1988.
- Wright, Courtni C. and Gershom Griffith. Journey to Freedom: A Story of the Underground Railroad. New York: Holiday House, 1994.
- Wyeth, Sharon Dennis. Message in the Sky. NY: Scholastics, 2003.
Other Underground Railroad Resources
- Abraham, Philip. Harriet Tubman. Children’s Press, p.24, c.2002.
- Carlson, Judy. Great Lives: Harriet Tubman, Call to Freedom. NY: Ballantine Books, 1988. Teacher’s Guide
- Carson, Mary Kay. The Underground Railroad for Kids: from Slavery to Freedom (includes 21 activities). Chicago: Review Press, c 2005.
- Klingel, Cynthia F. Harriet Tubman: Abolitionist and Underground Railroad Conductor. Child’s World, p.32, c. 2004.
- Clifford Larsen, Kate. Bound for the Promised Land: Harriet Tubman: Portrait of An American Hero. NY: Random House, 2004.
- Lawrence, Jacob. Harriet and the Promised Land. (Video recording) Thursday Recordings for Spoken Arts. (Also a paperback by Aladdin.)
- “Light a Candle in the Window” – UGRR related songs (CD)
- Petry, Ann. Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad. Prince Frederick, MD: Recorded Books, c. 1999. (5 audio cassettes; 6.5 hrs.); analog.
- Sernett, Milton C. North Star Country: Upstate NY and the Crusade for African American Freedom. Syracuse: Syracuse UP, 2002.
- Williams, Carla. The Underground Railroad. Child’s World, p.40, c. 2002.
“I do not wish to think, or speak, or write, with moderation…I am in earnest—I will not equivocate—I will not excuse—I will not retreat a single inch—AND I WILL BE HEARD.”
– William Lloyd Garrison,
The Liberator, 1831
Education
Teacher Resources
What is the Underground Railroad? How did the Underground Railroad work? Who was Harriet Tubman? Why was the Buffalo / Niagara area important to the Underground Railroad Movement? Get answers to these questions as well as access to NYS standards-based Underground Railroad lesson plans below in our Teacher Resources section.
School Tours
School tours of Freedom Crossing: The Underground Railroad of Greater Niagara provide an interactive learning opportunity that encourages observation, teamwork, critical thinking, experiential learning, and open dialogue. The exhibition includes interactive components that can be added to the tour, such as art, music and writing workshops.
Teacher Resources
Information to help you teach your students about the Underground Railroad.
Teacher Packet
For a list of books about the Underground Railroad, as well as other information and related resources, please download our teacher packet.
Standards-based Lesson Plans
The Niagara Arts and Cultural Center (NACC) is currently developing a series of New York State standards-based lesson plans to accompany the Freedom Crossing exhibit. Look for these Underground Railroad lesson plans on our website in the near future, as well as professional development opportunities for teachers at the NACC.
Pre-Visit Suggestions
To make your trip more exciting and relevant, we recommend that you visit the following Underground Railroad websites. Some of these contain lesson plans, several of which address national and New York State learning standards.
- Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad
- History of the Underground Railroad in Northern NY
- (See Lesson Plan #8)
- The Underground Railroad from the National Park Service
- The Underground Railroad from the History Channel
- National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
- Underground Railroad in New York
- Underground Railroad in Ontario: The John Freeman Walls Historic Site and Underground Railroad Museum
- The Queens Historical Society
- The Underground Railroad from National Geographic
- William Still Underground Railroad Foundation, Inc.
- The Friends of Freedom Society – Ohio Underground Railroad Association
- Voices from the Days of Slavery (Library of Congress)
- Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers Project (Library of Congress)
- African-American Women, Online Archival Collections (Duke University)
- African American Sheet Music, 1820-1920 (Brown University)
- African American Newspapers: The 19th Century (Accessible Archives) *Subscription Only
- Slavery and the Making of America
- Slavery in New York (New York Historical Society)
- History Matters: The U.S. Survey on the Web (George Mason University)
- ED Sitement: The Best of the Humanities on the Web (National Endowment for the Humanities & the Marco Polo Foundation)
“There’s two things I got a right to and these are death and liberty. One or the other I mean to have.”
– Harriet Tubman quoted in Sarah Bradford, Scenes in the Life of Harriet Tubman, 1879