On Exhibit at Robeson Library: Underground Railroad Sites of Greater Philadelphia

A new exhibit at the Robeson Library in Camden features notable Underground Railroad sites in the Philadelphia region, including The Peter Mott House in Lawnside, Mother Bethel AME Church in Philadelphia, and several sites along the newly created Upper Darby Underground Railroad Walking Trail in Delaware County.

The Underground Railroad was a network of pathways, homes, churches, and other structures where abolitionists including William Still assisted Black freedom seekers on their route north to free lands. The Philadelphia region was often the first stop in free territory for people escaping the horrors of slavery. The City of Philadelphia and surrounding communities in South Jersey and Pennsylvania are home to several sites that once served as safe harbors for self-liberated Black people, who were considered fugitives under United States law.

Curated by Robeson Librarians John Powell and Bart Everts (who worked on the Upper Darby Trail as a member of the Township’s Historical Commission), this exhibit gives insight into the struggles of the 19th century, and the role of allyship under systemic oppression.

For a complete list of the region’s Underground Railroad sites, as well as related library resources, please visit our Underground Railroad Sites of Greater Philadelphia research guide.