Galveston Bay and its tributaries were central to maritime freedom-seeking escapes from 1816 to 1865. The bay connected enslaved people in southeast Texas to opportunities for liberation in Mexico and beyond. Galveston Historical Foundation‘s (GHF) Galveston Historic Seaport now serves as a focal point in telling this story with the recent addition of the Freedom Seeker story to the National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network and a new addition to its acclaimed Galveston Immigration Experience, Ship To Shore, exhibit.
“The exhibit and recognition by the National Park Service acknowledge an important part of Galveston’s history,” said Alice Gatson, Chair of Galveston Historical Foundation’s African American Heritage Committee. “The awareness of the Freedom Seekers is another vital step to sharing our history with a larger audience and a continued commitment to the work our committee and GHF continue to do.”
GALVESTON’S MARITIME UNDERGROUND RAILROAD ADDED TO NATIONAL PARK SERVICE’S NATIONAL UNDERGROUND RAILROAD NETWORK TO FREEDOM PROGRAM
Galveston’s Maritime Underground Railroad in Galveston, Texas, is among 31 new listings added by the National Park Service to the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program. The latest listings join more than 800 sites, facilities, and programs already in the network, which provide insight into the diverse experiences of freedom seekers who bravely escaped slavery and the allies who assisted them.
“These new listings illustrate coast-to-coast efforts of freedom seekers and their allies to secure self-determination, liberty, and justice for themselves and others,” the National Park Service states. “Today, the Network to Freedom program is excited to recognize this community’s story and their local preservation efforts. New members are featured on our interactive map and national database. Acceptance into the program will preserve this story for future generations and provide an opportunity to learn more about the Underground Railroad.”
Created by Congress in 1998, the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom honors, preserves, and promotes the history of resistance to enslavement through escape and flight, which continues to inspire people worldwide. It includes listings in 41 states, as well as Washington, D.C., Canada, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Through its mission, the network advances the idea that all humans should have the rights to self-determination and freedom from oppression.
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD – SOUTH TO MEXICO EXHIBIT ADDED TO GALVESTON’S IMMIGRATION EXPERIENCE SHIP TO SHORE AT GALVESTON HISTORIC SEAPORT
As part of the continued research into important Galveston histories, GHF will launch a new Freedom Seekers area this August in the Galveston Historic Seaport’s Ship To Shore exhibit. Done in conjunction with New Zealand’s Gibson Group, this new area will highlight the stories of the Gulf Coast’s Freedom Seekers.
The incentives to escape and the pathways to freedom were limited and typically life-threatening. Only the intrepid and brave enslaved men and women attempted, and only a few succeeded. Today, several communities in northern Mexico observe Juneteenth, just as many communities in the United States do. These celebrations and historical documentation indicate the success of numerous freedom seekers who managed to reach Mexico.
“This designation and National Park Service program opens up a new area of scholarship and education for Texans regarding the Underground Railroad. Most histories of the Underground Railroad tell of how enslaved men and women sought freedom along trails to Canada,” explains Dwayne Jones, GHF’s Executive Director. “Our story is about the challenges and intriguing methods Texas slaves sought freedom to Mexico. The stories uncovered by our African American Heritage Committee evoke powerful images of enslavement on the island and beyond. We are pleased to join the national network documenting and interpreting these fascinating stories of freedom seekers for our visitors.”
GHF’s Ship To Shore experience is one of the island’s newest and most technologically advanced, interactive exhibits. The experience allows visitors to follow in the footsteps of the early immigrants, from the long sea voyage with its mix of hardships and wonders to the hustle and bustle of arriving in the 1880s at Galveston, one of the busiest ports and booming cities in the United States. Details on the experience, including hours, ticket prices, and more, can be found here.
ABOUT GALVESTON HISTORICAL FOUNDATION
Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF) was formed as the Galveston Historical Society in 1871 and merged with a new organization formed in 1954 as a non-profit entity devoted to historic preservation and history in Galveston County. Over the last seventy years, GHF has expanded its mission to encompass community redevelopment, historic preservation advocacy, maritime preservation, museum development, and heritage tourism. GHF embraces a broader vision of history and architecture that encompasses advancements in environmental and natural sciences and their intersection with historic buildings and coastal life, and continues to lead on local, state, and national levels with research-driven programs that build awareness of preservation’s role in cultural identity and stewardship across generations.
Looking forward to seeing this project.