The Underground Railroad of New Bern Coalition (URRNBC) announces its third community event on June 25 6:00-7:00 at the Stanley White Recreation Center, 601 3rd Avenue, downtown New Bern.
The URRNBC will present its research into the history of the Underground Railroad in our region, in our community. This is an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about New Bern’s role in the Underground Railroad. With this in-depth research and community input, the URRNBC will submit an application to the National Park Service to be recognized as a new part of the “National Network to Freedom”.
WHO IS THE URRNBC? The Coalition is comprised of representatives from the James City Historical Society, the New Bern Historical Society, the Historic Dryborough Association, the African American Heritage and Culture Center, educators and advocates who strive to discover and share the stories of those previously enslaved and their journeys to freedom.
WHAT IS THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD? The Underground Railroad—the resistance to enslavement through escape and flight, through the end of the Civil War—refers to the efforts of enslaved African Americans to gain their freedom by escaping bondage. Wherever slavery existed, there were efforts to escape. These acts of self-emancipation labeled slaves as "fugitives," "escapees," or "runaways," but in retrospect "freedom seeker" is a more accurate description. Many freedom seekers began their journey unaided and many completed their self-emancipation without assistance, but with each subsequent decade in which slavery was legal in the United States, there was an increase in active efforts to assist escape. Did the US Government play a role in helping Freedom Seekers? The decision to assist a freedom seeker may have been spontaneous. However, in some places, especially after the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, the Underground Railroad was deliberate and organized. Despite
the illegality of their actions, people of all races, class and genders participated in this significant widespread form of civil disobedience. Freedom seekers went in many directions – Canada, Mexico, Spanish Florida, Indian Territory, the West, Caribbean islands and Europe. For more history about this movement visit the NPS webpages for this program: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/undergroundrailroad/what-is-the-underground-railroad.htm. In 1998, legislation titled the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Act of 1998 was passed, creating the National Park Service “Network to Freedom” program. This program honors, preserves and promotes the history of resistance to enslavement through escape and flight, which continues to inspire people worldwide. Through its mission, the “Network to Freedom” helps to advance the idea that all human beings embrace the right to self-determination and freedom from oppression.
New Bernians and our visitors will recognize the designation “Underground Railroad” for many reasons, and because of the great success of the Waterfront Underground Railroad Museum of Washington NC. It is a museum for the people who sought freedom in Washington, NC, a museum that shares the history of slavery. The Museum is a caboose, specifically. The train car is staffed by volunteers and serves as the physical home of the Underground Rail Road Museum. That old railroad car also serves as a reminder of the museum's purpose. The fragile history of slavery is protected here and welcomes visitors, educators, students and families.
WHY NEW BERN? The Underground Railroad of New Bern will initially focus on the waterfront. This waterfront welcomed merchant ships with supplies, became a point of distribution for NC products, and a jump-off location for those fleeing slavery. Those previously enslaved sought help to leave the area and travel to safer areas, away from those looking for them. The stories are heart-wrenching, detailed and the URRNB will share the history of our region before emancipation.
The URR of New Bern will start with stories about “the waterfront” because it was a pathway for escaping enslaved people. A recent presentation to the New Bern Board of Aldermen was well-received. The BOA and the City administration have voiced their strong support of this work.
JOIN US. Join us June 25 for the 6:00 meeting with the community at the Stanley White Recreation Center. The Coalition will present details of the research, and the plans for an application to the NPS for designation as the URR of New Bern. Organizations sharing our goal are encouraged to join us in the Coalition, future programs and events. For more information, contact the current URRNBC leadership at URRNBC@gmail.com.
