First Congregational Church 2
Detroit was a famous endpoint on the underground railroad. I suppose it wasn't quite the end as people crossed into Canada at that point. However much of the stress and danger of recapture was done when enslaved people reached this city. First Congregational Church had a role at the time of the real underground railway, and now feature a basement where you can become "slaves" and take a trip from the deep South to Detroit. Many from the community come in and volunteer their time and effort to enrich the experience by dressing in period costumes and acting in pertinent roles. The basement is a warren of tight corridors that are made to appear like forests. The corridors are almost maze like--and the escaping slaves encounter people that help them as well as bounty hunters trying to recapture them. This is a powerful and worthwhile experience.
First Congregational Church 2
Detroit was a famous endpoint on the underground railroad. I suppose it wasn't quite the end as people crossed into Canada at that point. However much of the stress and danger of recapture was done when enslaved people reached this city. First Congregational Church had a role at the time of the real underground railway, and now feature a basement where you can become "slaves" and take a trip from the deep South to Detroit. Many from the community come in and volunteer their time and effort to enrich the experience by dressing in period costumes and acting in pertinent roles. The basement is a warren of tight corridors that are made to appear like forests. The corridors are almost maze like--and the escaping slaves encounter people that help them as well as bounty hunters trying to recapture them. This is a powerful and worthwhile experience.