Freedom Seekers and the Underground Railroad in Chicago

In the decades before the Civil War, more than 3,000 people escaping their enslavement in the South made their way to the Chicago region.  The city was known as a "hotbed of abolition" and relatively safe for freedom seekers.  Most traveled on to Detroit and freedom in Canada.  This program will explore stories of freedom seekers traveling to and through Chicago and the remarkable collection of Black and white families directly involved in providing assistance.

Larry McClellan's consulting, research and writing focus is on freedom seekers and the Underground Railroad, and on African American and regional history south of Chicago. Major publications include 25 articles in the Encyclopedia of Chicago [2005]; The Underground Railroad South of Chicago [2019], co-author of To the River, The Remarkable Journey of Caroline Quarlls, a Freedom Seeker on the Underground Railroad [2019]. Onward to Chicago: Freedom Seekers and the Underground Railroad in Northeastern Illinois was published by Southern Illinois University Press in 2023. This received the national 2023 Memorial Prize for the Advancement of Knowledge from the Underground Railroad Free Press. In 2022 he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Illinois State Historical Society for his contributions to Illinois history and, in 2024, they gave his latest book their Award for Superior Achievement.

This program will livestream on Looking for Lincoln's Facebook page and YouTube Channel. The event is FREE.