WebJunction - Group: Libraries along the Underground Railroad Route

The "Underground" trail just keeps on rolling

2009-04-16T16:23:02Z

I just saw this in the Adventure Cycling newsletter:

GOING UNDERGROUND WITH THE NPS

Here's a link to a PDF of the National Park Service's "Network to Freedom" newsletter from February 2009, which includes (on page 2) a great little story by our own Ginny Sullivan about the Underground Railroad Bicycle Route. "One of the most significant outcomes created by the route is the opportunity for cyclists to connect with Underground Railroad communities," Ginny writes. Read the rest here:
http://www.nps.gov/history/ugrr/2009february.pdf

In more UGRR news, Pat Crawford, executive director for WUWF Public Media at the University of West Florida, is currently riding most of the route to raise money to support his station. In 2007 he walked from Jacksonville to NPR headquarters in Washington, DC, and raised $25,000. On his website Pat issues this call to action: "Let's set our sights even higher this time around and let ‘Biking the Underground Railroad: Pensacola to Ontario 2009' prove that extreme fundraising is the way to go." He's been on the road since April 6th, and plans to report on-air twice daily. You can also follow him on his blog:
http://bikepat.blogspot.com/

Re: Cyclists using libraries on Underground Railroad Route

2008-07-03T02:47:07Z

There will be a group of kids from the Bronx Lab School on the Ohio leg of the route next month. To find out about what they're doing, and to support their ride, you might check out their web site, http://www.blurr.us.

Re: Cyclists using libraries on Underground Railroad Route

2008-07-02T17:45:29Z

Tim, I'm glad you asked. ;)

The [url http://www.bikewalk.org/2008conference/index.html ]Pro-Walk/Pro-Bike 2008[/url] event is a showcase of "the facilities and programs that are making Seattle and the Puget Sound models for the roles bicycling and walking can play in our 21st century communities."

The presentation that I'm part of is on Wednesday, Sept 3rd:
The Underground Railroad Bicycle Route Diversifying Bicycling Through Innovative Ideas and Partners
Presenters Ginny Sullivan, Dr. Stephen Thomas, Betha Gutsche, and David Jayco

Be there!

Re: Cyclists using libraries on Underground Railroad Route

2008-06-29T20:29:52Z

Ellen. This is fantastic. I'd like to echo Bethat's welcome.Thanks so much for sharing. I was actually wondering if people were going to keep using this topic this summer so I appreciate your great timing on your post ;-)!

And Betha, I'd like to hear more about your Sept. ProWalk ProBike presentation!

Re: Cyclists using libraries on Underground Railroad Route

2008-06-29T15:07:46Z

Welcome Ellen and thanks for telling your cycling story.

It's so nice to hear how much you appreciated the library services along the way. I like the idea that you felt part of a stream of people "following the drinking gourd" even though you didn't meet them. It is the history and route and the library waystations that tie it all together.

I too would love to hear more stories from Underground Railroad cyclists. I will be giving a presentation at the Pro Walk Pro Bike Summit in Seattle in September. The more stories I can tell and pictures I can show, the better the I can communicate the power of the route and the importance of libraries.

....Betha

Cyclists using libraries on Underground Railroad Route

2008-06-27T20:06:46Z

My husband Lowell and I just completed an extended bicycle trip on our tandem, a good part of which was on the Underground Railroad Route from Mobile, AL, eventually to our home in Youngstown, OH. We actually began our journey in San Francisco in mid-February, 2008, riding south to San Diego and then across the southwest to Mobile, before turning north to Ohio. It was a wonderful trip of over 5,000 miles.

Along the entire way we stopped in public libraries, all of which were noted on our Adventure Cycling maps. Our primary reason was to use the Internet, to stay in touch with family and friends, or to check on weather, availability of campgrounds, or just to "read" the NYT and our local newspapers. We were never refused service, but always welcomed and assisted in many ways, including directions to campgrounds, the nearest coffee shop, or a grocery store. Each facility had its own system for visitors to log in, and all were most accommodating. Interestingly, along the Underground Railroad Route librarians would tell us that other cyclists had been in their libraries. Though we rarely saw those folks, thanks to the interest of librarians, we felt as if we were part of a stream of travelers on an historic journey.

We also noticed that many libraries now have a "Friends" bookshelf for free or inexpensive books. This became a useful source of paperbacks for us to take along with us, and several times we donated the books we'd completed.

We'd enjoy reading about the experience of other cyclists, or of librarians along bicycling routes.

Ellen Satre
Youngstown, OH

Re: or vice versa --adopt a cyclist

2007-12-20T18:47:32Z

In this case, the [url http://www.pauldingcountylibrary.org/cyclists.htm ]Paulding County (Ohio) Carnegie Library[/url] is adopting the Adventure Cycling cyclists.

Chuck Harmon, a participant in the Underground Railroad trail, shares his appreciation of libraries along the route:

"My favorite lunch stop on the URR celebration tour this summer was the stop at the park behind the Hamilton Public Library. Temperatures were in the upper 90's that day and it was so nice to use the air conditioned clean bathrooms in the library ...and the internet at one of their two public access terminals."

I'm sure there's even more potential for this partnership.

Re: More trails --more beautiful maps!

2007-10-03T17:06:46Z

I had a very prompt response from the Development Director at Adventure Cycling. She checked with the sales department and this is her reply:

"The only reason our sales department can determine for this charge is that it was an overseas request. All US maps should be free, including shipping."

Please let us know if this makes sense to you.

Re: More trails --more beautiful maps!

2007-10-03T16:08:42Z

Thank you for letting us know! I will forward this information to the powers at Adventure Cycling and let everyone know what the response is.

Re: More trails --more beautiful maps!

2007-10-03T15:12:33Z

I tried the link and purchase code you supplied and only received a discount. It's a large discount ($66.00), but when shipping was added, the total was $29.50 -- not close enough to free for my budget. Regardless, thanks for the info.

Re: More trails --more beautiful maps!

2007-09-27T17:51:51Z

Here are the details for getting a free set of maps for your library:

Go to
http://www.adventurecycling.org/store/category.cfm?Category=5

Choose "Order now" for the full map set, with non-member selected in the drop-down option.

Proceed to "checkout" and fill in the form.
In the "Enter coupon or gift certificate code" box, enter this code:
GT-0001.

*Limited to stock on hand of the 275 original map sets. Only one per library. No exchanges or refunds will be offered.

More trails --more beautiful maps!

2007-09-20T22:44:19Z

Did you catch the announcement at the top of this forum? Adventure Cycling is offering maps of the [url http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/lewisandclark.cfm ]Lewis and Clark Bicycle Trail route[/url] to libraries for free!

I know how clear and informative the maps are for the Underground Railroad Route because I'm lucky enough to have a set of my own. I'm sure the Lewis & Clark maps are just as thoughtfully conceived. Each segment of the route is detailed with directions, elevations, mileage, and information on historic sites, museums, and parks. Whether your patrons want to bike, walk, run, or drive in the path of history, don't miss this opportunity to share these maps with them.

Re: Anti-Slavery/ UGRR Conference: Taking a Risk for Freedom in April of 20

2007-04-10T19:26:43Z

F. Y. I.: GREAT NEWS!! We received official notification of the induction of the Mary L. Cook Public Library into the Freedom Station Affiliate Program of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati because of the research we have conducted for the last year and a half (see attached invitation). The induction ceremony will be on Thursday April 19th, 2007 at 2:00 PM. They are inviting the library staff and our volunteer committee members to attend. We will also be participating in the launch of their new Freedom Stations Radio Station online. You may want to check their website after the 19th to hear the program: http://www.freedomcenter.org/freedomradio/. Those of you in the area are quite welcome to attend the induction ceremony if you would like.

Im close to finishing the conference publication, Anti-Slavery: Taking a Risk for Freedom ~ Report of the Research Committee which is, at this point, 264 pages long. There will be a lot to share on Saturday afternoon!!

Karen Campbell
campbeka@oplin.org

Re: Getting rolling with the UGRRBR project

2007-04-07T00:41:30Z

Spring is here and the project is getting into high gear. I want to post this bit from the Adventure Cycling newsletter:

"The quantity of newspaper coverage the Underground Railroad Bicycle Route has garnered recently is unprecedented for an Adventure Cycling project, with the possible exception of the ink earned by the original Bikecentennial ride in 1976. Newspapers across the country, and even across the oceans--in Japan, for instance--have run stories about the new route."

Here's [url http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07091/774321-37.stm ]one from the Pittsburgh Gazette[/url].

Re: Hot off the press: the Maps are here!

2007-03-07T23:06:03Z

Here's a good article from Louisville, KY: [url http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/local/16823727.htm ]Maps aim to connect cyclists with Underground Railroad history[/url].

According to the article, the Adventure Cycling Association is sponsoring a group of a dozen riders to do the entire 2,100-mile route! They expect to ride from April 14 through May 31 --approx. 7 weeks --that's about 300 miles/week or close to 43 miles/day. Wow! That's an adventure!

Re: Hot off the press: the Maps are here!

2007-02-16T18:34:40Z

The [url http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/undergroundrailroad.cfm ]full suite[/url] of UGRR route maps is now available.

The route is [url http://adventurecycling.org/news/2007ugrr2release.cfm ]ready to ride[/url]! I'm waiting to hear how many cyclists are going to go the distance.

Hot off the press: the Maps are here!

2006-08-17T00:02:02Z

The first set of maps for the route are now available for purchase! By all accounts, these are detailed and beautiful maps. They include:
<ul><li>Service symbols indicating the locations of campgrounds, hostels, motels, gas stations, groceries, restaurants, post offices and bike shops.</li>
<li>Narratives with turn-by-turn instructions for traveling in either direction.</li>
<li>Contour lines providing a general idea of elevation gains and losses. Elevation profiles in all regions with major ascents and descents indicated.</li>
<li>local history, geology and other interesting information about points along the route.</li>
<li>A weather chart providing average monthly rainfall and mean temperatures at points along the route.</li>
<li>Large-scale detail maps of urban or congested areas.</li>
<li>Summaries of riding conditions providing info on road surfaces, traffic volumes, and areas of caution.</li></ul>

[url http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes/undergroundrailroad.cfm?pg=more ]View the maps here[/url]
and purchased in Adventure Cyclings online store at:
http://www.adventurecycling.org/store/category.cfm?Category=98.

Cyclists can "Adopt a Library"!

2007-02-07T21:05:00Z

Okay, this isn't just about the Underground Railroad Bicycle adventures --it's a broader connection between cyclists, health, and libraries. I just read this post on [url http://adventurecycling.org/membership/willieweir_adopt.cfm ]The Next Generation[/url] (of cyclists) by enthusiast Willie Weir. He's worried about the decline in adventure cycling among youth, which entails the decline in outdoor fitness, environmental awareness, and expansion of personal horizons.

He's proposing that cyclists "adopt a library" --that is, donate 1/2 a subscription to [url http://adventurecycling.org/mag/index.cfm ]Adventure Cyclist[/url] magazine to a school or public library of your choice; The Adventure Cycling Association will donate the other half. Pretty nice, don't you think?

I'd love to hear about any libraries who receive such a donation or any patrons who supply the donation.

Anti-Slavery/ UGRR Conference: Taking a Risk for Freedom in April of 2007

2006-12-12T21:56:15Z

The Mary L. Cook Public Library in Waynesville, Ohio and Wilmington College in Wilmington, Ohio have partnered to host the 3rd Annual Quaker Genealogy and History Conference: Anti-Slavery: Taking a Risk for Freedom this coming spring on the last weekend of the month of April. This will be a three-day conference with many notable speakers. Please go to the Mary L. Cook Public Library web site, the Ohioana Room web page (http://www.mlcook.lib.oh.us/ohioana_roommary_l.htm), to download the schedule/registration form (PDF file) for more information about the topics and speakers.

We have also arranged with the Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio for a special tour of the museum a day before the conference begins, on Thursday, April 26, 2007. There is a separate registration form on the Ohioana Room web page for the museum tour which can also be downloaded (PDF file).

Our research committee has been conducting local research to investigate people who were involved in the anti-slavery movement and to locate UGRR sites. We are concentrating on the area of the Bull Skin Trace along Caesar's Creek (Waynesville, Harveysburg, Warren County and Clinton County area). The dates for the conference are Friday April 27th, Saturday April 28th and Sunday April 29th, 2007. On Sunday afternoon participants will go on a bus tour of local anti-slavery/UGRR sites.

The Mary L. Cook Public Library is a member of the Freedom Station Program of the Freedom Center/National Underground Railroad Museum in Cincinnati.

For more information, contact Karen Campbell, The Mary L. Cook Public Library, Waynesville, Ohio, campbeka@oplin.org, 1-513-897-4826 or Ruth Dobyns at the Quaker Heritage Center at Wilmington College, (937) 382-6661 x 719
ruth_dobyns@wilmington.edu

Registration form for [url http://www.mlcook.lib.oh.us/(Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Registration%20form%20for%20the%203rd%20Annual%20Quaker%20Genealogy%20.pdf ]conference[/url].

Registration form for [url http://www.mlcook.lib.oh.us/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Registration%20for%20Tour%20of%20UGRR%20Museum.pdf ]tour of the UGRR Freedom Center[/url] in Cincinnati.

Message was edited by:
blg3 to fix and imbed the hyperlinks

Re: Anti-Slavery/ UGRR Conference: Taking a Risk for Freedom in April of 20

2006-12-13T00:46:15Z

Hello and welcome to the WJ forums! I'm so glad you're telling us about this event related to the UGRR. I know there's a lot of history related to the Freedom Trail in Ohio. Wouldn't it be cool if some of the conference attendees arrived by bicycle along the UGRR route?

I just read a post over in the [url http://www.adventurecycling.org/forums/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=19&Topic=1450 ]Adventure Cycling forums[/url] about some plans for Ohio cyclists. There's also a link there to some historical photographs and text about [url http://www.remarkableohio.org/index.cfm?action=search_markers.marker_details&marker_id=1085. ]Addison White's[/url] escape to freedom.