One of the Best Ways to Learn About the Underground Railroad Is in Washington, North Carolina

Visitors to the Washington Waterfront Underground Railroad Museum learn how everyday items such as clothing and specific sounds were used by abolitionists and freedom seekers to communicate.

Leesa Jones was born in Washington, North Carolina, and recalls stories passed down by her grandmother about the Underground Railroad and the codes used by abolitionists to help guide countless people from bondage to freedom.

As an adult, Jones began researching the Underground Railroad. She helped open the Washington Waterfront Underground Railroad Museum in 2016 to educate others about the heroes who risked their own lives operate the Underground Railroad. Housed in a restored railroad car, the museum is a National Park Service Underground Railroad-Network to Freedom site.

Jones and her husband Milton work to educate visitors of the genius of those who devised codes to liberate so many from the grip of slavery.

What makes this museum so important is that it goes into great detail as to how the Underground Railroad operated. Visitors learn how everyday items such as clothing and specific sounds were used by abolitionists and freedom seekers to communicate.

To summarize the importance of the work of abolitionists, Jones told Cardinal & Pine: “We’re talking about people working together at a time when this country wasn’t exactly at its finest, but what was the finest part about our history during that time was how all kinds of people worked together to make the Underground Railroad work.”

To learn more about the Washington Underground Railroad Museum visit the website or Facebook. The museum is located at the corner of Main and Gladden streets, and is open Thursday through Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Call 609-444-8974 for more information.

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