Midnight: Detroit & the Underground Railroad

Detroit Historical Society Field Curator Billy Wall-Winkle will present a lecture exploring Detroit’s pivotal role as a major station on the Underground Railroad.

Thousands of freedom seekers passed through Detroit, codenamed Midnight, crossing the Detroit River into Canada with the help of a dedicated and determined abolitionist community. Despite intense local opposition and constant threats from slave catchers and law enforcement, Detroit’s abolitionists persisted—protecting runaways, coordinating covert journeys, and playing a crucial role in the fight for freedom. crossing the Detroit River into Canada with the help of a dedicated and determined abolitionist community. Despite intense local opposition and constant threats from slave catchers and law enforcement, Detroit’s abolitionists persisted—protecting runaways, coordinating covert journeys, and playing a crucial role in the fight for freedom.

Photo courtesy of Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library.

Program will be held in the Galleria room of the Main Branch at 2:30pm on Saturday, February 21st and will be simulcast on Zoom (Meeting ID 867 8786 3245)

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