Text Box: THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD UNCOVERING THIS AMAZING HISTORY

 

 

 

 

Text Box: The Farnsworth Mansion Foundation is thrilled to announce its partnership with The African Scientific Research Institute, an affiliate of the University of Illinois, Chicago. ASRI has been working to verify that 606 Cedar St., St Charles, IL is truly an official underground railroad stop. This home was landmarked in early 2008 by the City of St. Charles based on its historic significance. The home was the original home of Gideon Young and was built circa 1837. Gideon Young was a known abolitionist who lived in Warrenville IL prior to moving to St. Charles. This home is also connected to the Wheeler Mansion located on Rt. 31, another suspected underground home due to Jerusha Young, a family member of Gideon’s marrying James Wheeler.  There are other suspected underground railroad homes located in St. Charles . This is known due to documents that were found from the Kane County Anti-Slavery Organization. It is because of the knowledge of these homes that ASRI and the Farnsworth Mansion Foundation have formed a partnership. ASRI has reviewed the information and history on General John F. Farnsworth, his role as an abolitionist, his role as a congressman and friend of President Lincoln’s They have also reviewed the proposed plan to reconstruct the Farnsworth Mansion, the history of its loss and the belief that the Farnsworth Mansion was an underground railroad stop  and agree that with all the other information that has been gathered up to this point regarding the early residents of St. Charles and their role in the Anti-Slavery movement, St. Charles needs to be recognized for its underground railroad history and the reconstruction of the Farnsworth Mansion would play a major role in achieving that recognition.  Of course we are aware that St. Charles was not the only location that have connections to the Underground Railroad. We are looking forward to uncovering the history and properties connected to the underground railroad throughout Illinois and beyond. With the help of Emmy Award winning screenwriter and actor Craig J. Harris a film will be developed documenting the journey of the slaves to freedom.     ASRI and the Farnsworth Mansion will be hosting a Round Table discussion that will be open to the public in May, 2009. We will be asking property owners, descendants from families that were abolitionists, slaves, etc…, historians, museum directors, government officials, preservation organizations, and anyone else with any information or interest regarding the Underground Railroad attend this meeting.