Tag: Underground

Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center file photo

Tue, Jun 14th 2022 12:25 pm

The Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center is extending its Juneteenth celebrations past Sunday, with events on Monday, June 20, and Friday, June 24.

From 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, the venue is hosting “Underground Railroad and the Seeds on Afro-futurism” at the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center. This event is in collaboration with author dann J. Broyld and artist Ellex Swavoni, who will not be present at the event, but her art installation will be featured.

Attendees of this event have the opportunity to join Broyld in a presentation, conversation, and signing of his book, “Borderland Blacks: Two Cities in the Niagara Region During the Final Decades of Slavery.” This event will also feature the art of Swavoni for spectators to enjoy while they learn about the Underground Railroad and Afro-futurism.

Then, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Friday, June 24, the “Voices of Freedom” event will take place in the greenspace outside in Tubman Plaza. It will feature The Bel Canto Youth Chorus of the Bach Choir of Bethlehem from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. They will perform songs in relation to the Underground Railroad, liberation, and in celebration of Juneteenth.

These two events are free to attend.

Additional Juneteenth Celebrations

The Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center invites the community to come celebrate Juneteenth on Sunday, June 19. The venue is hosting special events:

√ Freedom Conversation Tour: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

√ Freedom Conversation Tour: 2-3 p.m.

√ Walking Tour of Suspension Bridge Village: 3:30-4:30 p.m.

√ Tabling at the Buffalo Juneteenth Festival/Parade: noon until 2 p.m.

The team at the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center encourages everyone to come down and celebrate Juneteenth. Visitors can choose between one of the offered tour times or do self-guided tours. During the parade, visitors can also stop by the table outside, in Tubman Plaza, to speak with someone from the Heritage Center.

‘Explore Heritage’ Collaboration with Explore & More in Celebration of Juneteenth

On June 17, the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center is hosting “Explore Heritage” a collaboration with Explore & More in celebration of Juneteenth.

Children from the ages of 7 to 10 can experience a jam-packed event with fun coloring activities all while learning about the history of Juneteenth and why it is celebrated.

This program will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center and Explore & More – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children’s Museum.

Organizers said, “While the event at the Heritage Center has already been filled, we encourage everyone who is interested in joining to sign up for the Explore & More location in Buffalo.”

The mission of the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center is to reveal authentic stories of Underground Railroad freedom seekers and abolitionists in Niagara Falls, and to inspire visitors to recognize modern injustices that stem from slavery and to take action toward an equitable society. The Heritage Center is an experiential museum that offers self-guided tours, facilitated guided tours, school field trips, and numerous public programs, services and events. Each is designed to expand visitors’ understanding of and appreciation for the Underground Railroad in Niagara Falls, and the enduring impact of slavery in the U.S. More information can be found on the website.