Harriet Tubman Mural
Kennett Square now has a new, huge artwork dedicated to the work of Harriet Tubman and other heroes of the Underground Railroad. See the mural and pictures of the dedication ceremony.
Barnard House
Our patience has paid off! In a year or two we’ll have museum space in the Eusebius Barnard House (#18 on our map), and visitors will at long last be able to explore a documented Underground Railroad “station.” Watch this space for news of the renovation of this old farmhouse, where Pocopson Township will have their offices.
Kennett Underground Heritage Tours
Learn about the history all around us, here in this "hotbed of abolitionism." KURC offers our popular narrated tours on summer Sunday afternoons, May 22, June 26, July 31, and August 28, 2011 (reservations are necessary), and at other times by arrangement. One of our guides will be glad to join you in your car, bus, or van and lead a tour for a modest donation. Call 610-347-2237 for information or to reserve. Tours will depart from the Chester County Visitors Center at Longwood Gardens' entrance.
Chester County Visitors Center
At the Visitors Center, be sure to see the Underground Railroad exhibit, including a replica of Henry "Box" Brown's box and the "slave" dress. The display also tells the history of this building, the very historic former Longwood Progressive Meeting of Friends. Open 11-5 (Sundays 12-5); admission is free.
East Linden Street History Book Published
The Kennett Underground Railroad Center is proud to announce publication of East Linden Street: a History, this fall. Click here for full information.
Need a Speaker?
We are happy to speak to local groups of all ages about this fascinating period in Kennett’s history. Just call 610-347-2237 to inquire.
Honor the past.
Celebrate our heritage.
Look to the future with courage and pride.
Today, more than any other time in our country's history, communities are uniting to promote the values and commitments that contribute to the ongoing quest for freedom around the world. The Kennett Underground Railroad Center fosters this movement by celebrating American heroes whose courage led them to dare so much, simply to live a decent life.
Welcome!
The Kennett Underground Railroad Center takes visitors back in history to a time when slavery existed in our nation and the underground railroad was a "trackless trail." Follow that trail with us. Meet the people, hear the legends and learn the facts. Understand why the underground railroad is one of the greatest and most revered events in our country’s history.
Pennsylvania's Civil War Road Show
The Civil War Road Show is coming to Chester County, one of its first stops in a four-year tour of Pennsylvania. This traveling museum will touch down in every Pennsylvania county. Click here for a schedule of all the events when it comes to Penn State Great Valley.
We may be prejudiced, but we think the event not to be missed is WILLIS PHELPS on Saturday afternoon, July 30, at 2 p.m., as Private James H. Elbert, 'C' Company 8th U.S. Colored Troops. Phelps is sponsored by Kennett Underground Railroad Center.
First Friday Underground Railroad Walking Tour
On Friday, June 3, many strollers met some Local Heroes. Samuel and Deborah Pennock, Dr. Isaac Johnson, Esther Hayes, and James Walker greeted visitors at their former homes on Kennett's Union Street and told how they helped a wounded fugitive slave.
A minibus ferried walkers up and down Union Street and the Camptown Shakers entertained visitors with Civil War-era music.
This free event was sponsored by the Kennett Historical Commission and Kennett Underground Railroad Center.
If you missed it, you’ll be glad to know we’re thinking of a repeat in summer 2012.
Where is Hannah Cox's Diary?
Help us solve a mystery. Click here.
The Kennett Underground Railroad Map
Explore the area's Underground Railroad sites with this clickable map of Southern Chester County, Pennsylvania, with pictures and descriptions of many important stops on the "trackless trail." Click Here.
Our Mission
The Kennett Underground Railroad Center, a multicultural and diverse organization, celebrates the values that brought an end to slavery in America and the heroes whose courage led them to dare so much, simply to live a decent life.
Surrounded by one of the greatest concentrations of Underground Railroad stations in the country, we seek to identify and preserve buildings, artifacts, and documents associated with that inspiring time in our history for the purpose of educating present generations and those to come.
Learn more about what we do.
Take an online tourof our former museum space, to learn about KURC's approach and scope.
Read the story of Johnson Hayes Walker , one of the many slaves who came through Kennett Square.
Here's a link to a February 2009 story about Kennett's Underground Railroad sites in the Washington Post.
For more local history, visit Kennett Square History