Teresa Bitler 2023-12-19 07:28:25
The eponymous Harriet Tubman Scenic Byway retraces the legendary activist’s journey to freedom, and this official byway recently unveiled a new Pennsylvania extension. The trail also celebrates all those who helped enslaved people make their way to freedom through Pennsylvania along the Underground Railroad. At US-1 South, the official route takes you east to Philadelphia and two byway stops: Independence Hall and William Still’s Last Residence. Make time to detour west to Kennett Square. The town, which predates the Revolutionary War, is surrounded by dozens of historic Underground Railroad stations. In Kennett Square, start at the Brandywine Valley Tourist Information Center for an introduction to the area’s abolitionist movement. Originally the former Longwood Progressive Meetinghouse, the building was a place where progressive Quakers and thinkers could discuss slavery, women’s rights, and other important issues. Tubman spoke here, as did other historical figures such as Frederick Douglass, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Susan B. Anthony. Next, stop by the Old Kennett Meetinghouse where Quaker abolitionists worshipped leading up to the Civil War. You can take a self-guided tour of the grounds and attend a service here on the last Sunday of the month during the summer. Two Underground Railroad stations are also in the area. The Fussell House, also known as The Pines, belonged to Dr. Bartholomew Fussell, a Quaker physician and anti-slavery activist who reportedly helped more than 2,000 enslaved people escape to freedom. In West Chester, Barnard Station, the home of Eusebius Barnard, served as another important station on the Underground Railroad. It is open for tours on the third Saturday of the month June through October. For a guided tour of documented Underground Railroad sites, historic homes, and Quaker Meetinghouses, book the Kennett Underground Railroad Bus Tours through the Brandywine Valley Tourist Information Center. Bus tours are held the third Sunday of the month, Mar.–Oct. Before exploring the byway, download the free audio guide from HarrietTubmanByway.org or the free smartphone app in the Apple App Store or Google Play by searching “Harriet Tubman Byway.” The byway follows Pennsylvania 52/Kennett Pike as it enters the state from Delaware.
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