Join us for a very special evening full of delicious events. Ice Cream social. Children’s Fair. Fireworks. And the opening of our Underground Railroad Exhibit.

Event Schedule

The following time schedule is tentative and subject to revision! The FREE children’s programs, ice cream, museum tours and fireworks are definite.

• 7 – 8 pm Children’s program – make a quilt patch
• 8 -10 pm Ice Cream Social
• 8 – 10 pm Opening of the Underground Railroad Display
• 10 pm (approx) FIREWORKS
• FREE ice cream, cake, and refreshments  – served on the front porch of the museum
• FREE tours of the museum

The Underground Railroad of Lawrence County

“Hundreds, if not thousands, of abolitionist supporters … either spoke out against slavery or acted upon their beliefs by sneaking slaves through Lawrence County”  “To use a slang phrase, New Castle was a red hot Abolition town.” (New Castle News: March 8, 1899)

Opening July 11, this new exhibit highlights those who participated in helping fugitives escape to Canada and promoted the abolition of slavery. The exhibit includes

• introduction to the Underground Railroad
• overview of the African American Community in Lawrence County before the Civil War
• follows the rise of Abolitionist Preachers and the development of the Free Presbyterian Church
• highlights Lawrence County politics before the war and illustrates its connection to the struggle against slavery in Kansas
• introduces the community to the abolitionists and conductors throughout Lawrence County and brings to light the stories of slaves who passed through or settled in the area

Photo credits: “Cherry Ice Cream Sundae” by “Steven Depolo” is licensed under CC BY 2.0