Tinker Swiss Cottage strives to promote education through many methods including tours, exhibits, workshops, and lectures.
This summer, we hope to offer you lectures that explore different historical and cultural themes.
All lectures will take place in the lower level of the Barn and are open to the public.
This summer, we hope to offer you lectures that explore different historical and cultural themes.
All lectures will take place in the lower level of the Barn and are open to the public.
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"The 'Underground Railroad' in the Rock River Valley" - Dan Wykes
June 12, 2022 2:00 pm
In the times leading up to the American Civil War, Illinois residents were affected by the institution of slavery, despite the state’s status as a declared free state. Fugitive black slaves would enter and traverse Illinois in their attempts to escape slave catchers and achieve freedom.
Among the primary routes was the corridor leading from certain Mississippi River crossings in Missouri to lower Lake Michigan communities in northeastern Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin, through the Rock and Fox River Valleys. From there freedom seekers were compelled to emigrate to Canada where slave-catching was not allowed.
The Lucius Read house in Byron, Illinois is verified to have been an “Underground Railroad” (UGRR) safehouse, or “Station” in UGRR code terms. It is today a designated “Network to Freedom” site of the U.S. National Park Service.
Dan Wykes, Educator at the museum, presents a detailed overview in the guise of an UGRR “conductor.” Visual slides and a display of period artifact reproductions (including firearms as appropriate to the age group and setting of the presentation) support the presentation.
This lecture will take place on Sunday June 12th in the lower level of the Tinker Barn from 2-4pm.
The cost for this lecture is $10 for non-members and $5 for Tinker members.
*Space is limited, so reserve today!
Among the primary routes was the corridor leading from certain Mississippi River crossings in Missouri to lower Lake Michigan communities in northeastern Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin, through the Rock and Fox River Valleys. From there freedom seekers were compelled to emigrate to Canada where slave-catching was not allowed.
The Lucius Read house in Byron, Illinois is verified to have been an “Underground Railroad” (UGRR) safehouse, or “Station” in UGRR code terms. It is today a designated “Network to Freedom” site of the U.S. National Park Service.
Dan Wykes, Educator at the museum, presents a detailed overview in the guise of an UGRR “conductor.” Visual slides and a display of period artifact reproductions (including firearms as appropriate to the age group and setting of the presentation) support the presentation.
This lecture will take place on Sunday June 12th in the lower level of the Tinker Barn from 2-4pm.
The cost for this lecture is $10 for non-members and $5 for Tinker members.
*Space is limited, so reserve today!
