Digging Deeper: Uncovering the Lost Story of the Underground Railroad

Join us for a book talk with distinguished archeologist, Cheryl LaRoche, on the unknown aspects of the Underground Railroad. In her book about AME Bishop Paul Quinn, Dr. LaRoche provides groundbreaking insights into literacy, the Underground Railroad, and the Black church, urging us to rethink these important aspects of Black history. City Archeologist, Dr. Eleanor Breen, will moderate the discussion.

This in-person event will be held at ALX Community - 201 N Union Street, Suite 110, so mark your calendars. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to learn more about this important chapter in American history!

While Admission is FREE for the book talk, you have the option to purchase your copy of the book when you complete the event registration. You may pick up your pre-purchased copy of the book at the event.

Dr. Cheryl Janifer LaRoche blends history, geography, archaeology, and material culture to create a comprehensive narrative of the African American experience, focusing on pre-Civil War Black communities and institutions, particularly the Underground Railroad. She has researched sites from New Hampshire to Missouri and Canada. Dr. LaRoche earned her Ph.D. in American Studies, concentrating on Archaeology and African American history, from the University of Maryland, College Park. Her expertise has benefited the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Park Service sites, the African Burial Ground Project, and multiple museums and historic sites. The Society for Historical Archaeology honored her with the John L. Cotter award for her significant contributions to historical archaeology and African American studies.

Dr. Eleanor Breen is a historical archaeologist with nearly 30 years of experience excavating and interpreting sites across the mid-Atlantic. As City Archaeologist for Alexandria, Virginia, she leads the city's renowned public archaeology program and museum, dedicated to preserving and sharing its buried history. Before her role in Alexandria, Eleanor directed the archaeology program at Mount Vernon, where she investigated the whiskey distillery and archaeological collections related to the Washington family and the enslaved community.

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