The Blairsville Area Underground Railroad is dedicated to the brave men, women, and children who used this network to freedom.
Enslaved Africans in pre-Civil War Virginia
National Park Service Network to Freedom Program
As a 100% volunteer-based organization, our offices and museum operates with limited hours or by appointment. Please contact us 24-48 hours in advance of your visit so that we may secure a volunteer docent.
The Underground Railroad in Indiana County-An overview
Our UGRR History Center
Hours: Monday 5pm-8pm, Wednesday 5pm-8pm, Sat. 9am-Noon
Or by appointment by calling: 724-599-8105
The UGRR History Center is located at 214 S. East Lane in Blairsville. It is housed in the former Second Baptist Church Building which in itself is historic. Built in 1917, it is the oldest African American church in Blairsville. Currently, our history center is open YEAR ROUND evenings and weekends or by appointment. Stop in or call or email to schedule your visit today! 724-343-1014 or 724-599-8105, blairsvilleugrr@yahoo.com
Bus and group tours are welcome. Email blairsvilleugrr@yahoo.com to schedule your visit!
Students from the John P Parket School in Cincinnati, Ohio visit the musem
Our UGRR History Center in the former Second Baptist Church.
Volunteers interpret historic figures with a group of school children.
Our historic interpreters prepare for our annual History at High Noon tour
Exhibit: A Day in the Life of An Enslaved Child
Upcoming 2024 Blairsville Area UGRR Events-see our Event tab for more details:
History at High Noon-August 10, 2024, 12:00pm Follow our guides as you explore Blairsville and meet figures from the Underground Railroad, nationally famous businessmen, & prominent Blairsville citizens. Space is limited. Tours depart every 8 min. from the BVUGRR Knotweed Festival booth. Donations $7/per person. Children under 4yrs are free. Children under 12 yrs must be accompanied by an adult. Call 724-343-1014 for more information. In case of heavy rain or dangerous heat, characters will appear at our UGRR Museum, 214 S East Ln, Blairsville. Online advance tickets are available here.
Twilight Cemetery Tour-October 26, 2024, 4:00pm TICKETS NOW ON SALE HERE! Follow our guides as you explore the Blairsville Cemetery and meet figures from the Underground Railroad, nationally famous businessmen, & prominent Blairsville citizens. Space is limited. Tours depart every 8 min. from the Blairsville Cemetery Office, 609 E Market St., Blairsville PA. Donations $7/per person. Children under 5yrs are free. Children under 12 yrs must be accompanied by an adult. Call 724-343-1014 for more information. In case of heavy rain or dangerous storms, characters will appear at our UGRR Museum, 214 S East Ln, Blairsville.
Self-guided Walking Tour-Ongoing. Scroll down to view the map of the locations of our UGRR-related sites in Blairsville.
Freedom Seeker series beer -ONGOING. available for purchase at Levity Brewing, 1380 Wayne Ave # A, Indiana, PA 15701, Levity Brewing, 11th Ave., Altoona, PA
The Blairsville Area Underground Railroad is committed to preserving, promoting, and presenting the history of the Underground Railroad in Indiana County and the surrounding region.
Our Mission..
To develop presentations, historic narratives and other materials to advance public awareness.
To create a History Center to showcase and exhibit area UGRR-related material
To conduct Underground Railroad research to further reveal the working of this network which assisted enslaved Africans north to freedom
Blairsville's location along the Conemaugh River at the southern edge of Indiana County provided many opportunities for growth. From its beginning in the early 1800s, the town benefited from road, canal and railroad traffic. Many of the people who settled in the area had strict religious convictions and they became a strong force in the Underground Railroad movement.
In those days, the bounty hunters tracking the freedom seekers often made comments about how swiftly the runaways moved and were able to disappear. It was almost as if they had an underground railroad. The various methods used by abolitionists to hide and move the freedom seekers made their pursuers is now referred to as the Underground Railroad.
Records were seldom kept due to the severe fines and threats of jail terms that accompanied anyone found guilty of breaking the law. At that time, the law forbid aiding and abetting any slave trying to reach freedom in Canada.
We celebrate the brave freedom seeker who traveled through Indiana County, beginning in Blairsville and moving northward, one hiding place at a time…
Explore Blairsville’s History with this self-guided tour. Signs are located throughout Blairsville Borough.
Take a self-guided tour of Blairsville’s Underground Railroad-related sites.
Get Involved
The Blairsville Area Underground Railroad History Center is open for visits Monday & Wednesday 5pm-8pm and Saturday 9am-noon. Presentations and special events are available by appointment. Call 724-599-8105 to arrange group visits or presentation.. We are able to provide for student groups and adult study groups and partner with local historical societies and tourism entities.
If you have an interest in history and would like to volunteer as a docent, historic interpreter (actor), join our board, or help with our events, please call the number listed above or email blairsvilleugrr@yahoo.com
The Stationmaster program:
For a $20 monthly donation, you can help sustain the Blairsville Area Underground Railroad.