Our Vision

The Underground Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania seeks to…

Faithfully and accurately tell the stories of the freedom seekers and their ability to self-liberate.
Show how Pennsylvania, perhaps more than any other state, was the symbol of freedom for thousands of these people.
Tell the stories of courage and conscience of the agents, conductors and stationmasters who comprised the UGRR in every region of our state.
Tell the unique story of what happened in the town of Columbia and counties of Lancaster and York to demonstrate their roles in defining and shaping the entire UGRR movement.
Weave a colorful tapestry with existing organizations, scholars, and educational institutions throughout the state in order to strengthen each other and tell the whole story of the UGRR in Pennsylvania.
Challenge all who visit our museum to examine their own strength of character in light of those whose stories we tell.

Pennsylvania and the Quest for Freedom

For generations, Pennsylvania stood at the heart of one of the most extraordinary freedom movements in American history.

As a border state between slavery and freedom, Pennsylvania became a critical destination for Freedom Seekers escaping bondage in Maryland, Virginia, and throughout the South. From the Delaware River to Lake Erie, from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, and from rural crossroads to bustling river towns, a vast network of individuals and communities helped create pathways to liberty.

This movement was not the work of a few celebrated figures alone. Free Black communities, formerly enslaved people, abolitionists, faith leaders, business owners, laborers, and ordinary citizens all played a role in challenging the institution of slavery. Together, they formed a network that stretched across the Commonwealth and beyond, helping thousands of Freedom Seekers continue their journey toward freedom.

The risks were immense. Assisting those fleeing slavery could result in financial ruin, imprisonment, violence, or prosecution, especially after the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. Yet many Pennsylvanians chose conscience over compliance, continuing to aid Freedom Seekers despite the dangers.

Columbia, Pennsylvania helped make the Susquehanna River not a barrier, but a gateway. Columbia's story is one chapter in a much larger statewide narrative, connecting to hundreds of towns, farms, churches, businesses, and homes that formed Pennsylvania's Underground Railroad network.

The impact of these efforts continues to resonate today. Millions of Americans can trace their heritage to individuals who sought freedom and to the communities that helped make that freedom possible.

The Underground Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania will bring these stories together in a dynamic experience that explores the people, places, and choices that shaped the struggle for liberty across the Commonwealth. Through powerful personal narratives and immersive exhibits, visitors will encounter the courage, sacrifice, and determination that defined the Quest for Freedom.

And they will be invited to consider a question that remains as relevant today as it was then:

What would I have done?

Quest for Freedom Fundraising Gala