Explore Michigan's Underground Railroad history on September 30
The Michigan Freedom Trail Commission's sixth annual Underground Railroad Heritage Gathering will take place at the Michigan History Center in Lansing on September 30 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Registration is $12
to cover a boxed lunch.
To commemorate Underground Railroad Month in Michigan, the 2023 conference theme is “Representations of the Underground Railroad.” Speakers from around Michigan and the U.S. will speak about the Underground Railroad
in fiction, film, plays, games, myths and other aspects of popular culture and the ways that it can be misinterpreted or misrepresented. Topics include:
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In the Upper Country: Discussion with the Author. Author
Kai Thomas speaks about his book In the Upper Country, a novel following the journey of a freedom seeker traveling on the Underground Railroad to Michigan. In the interview, Thomas discusses the
research behind the story.
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Revising the Underground Railroad Narrative. For much of the long history of the Underground Railroad, the popular understanding has been
that it was an extremely well-organized and thoroughly routinized system that eschewed violence and largely involved white operatives helping freedom seekers. This session will show the improvisational nature of the network and how operatives used violence
and cooperated in interracial groups.
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Civil War Union Troops & Freedom Seekers: A Complicated Relationship. The Hillsdale-based 18th Michigan Infantry Regiment deployment to the
pro-slavery Union border state of Kentucky. The fireworks that ensued between the Michigan and Kentucky units—both representing the Union—illustrate the worst and best case examples of this complicated relationship.
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Born Free & Equal: Michigan’s Colored Regiment. Following the Emancipation Proclamation, the U.S. military formed the United States Colored
Troops. Even as black soldiers fought and died, their citizenship status remained uncertain. Racist policies limited opportunities for black soldiers and paid them lower wages. Mr. Maurice Imhoff will cover the story of the 1st Michigan Colored Regiment -
known as the 102nd United States Colored Troops; discussing its early authorization to present time remembrance.
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The Historian’s Dilemma: Writing & Teaching the History of the UGRR. Broad and creative representations of the UGRR, freedom seekers and abolitionists
present challenges for those who create and share evidence-based stories about these shared histories. From fictional portrayals of historical figures to imaginative renderings of how freedom seeking "actually happened," this facilitated discussion will provide
examples of challenges and opportunities. Attendees are invited to bring their own examples of instances when creative representations and historical documentation collide.
Like previous years, the day is aimed at networking, information sharing and developing next steps for a statewide Underground Railroad collaborative. Join us and become part of the conversation!
Pre-registration is required to confirm your lunch order.
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