The South Jersey Tourism Corp., in association with The Lawnside Historical Society, the Still family, and Plexus Publishing, will host a launch party to celebrate the release of the 2005 edition of William Still's landmark book, The Underground Rail Road. The event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2005, from 2 - 4 p.m. at Mount Pisgah AME Church in Lawnside, NJ.
Originally published in 1872 and out of print for many years, the book presents firsthand accounts of slaves escaping north by way of the human support network known as the Underground Railroad. The narratives were painstakingly documented by William Still (1821-1902), a son of former slaves who helped guide untold numbers of fugitives to safety as an Underground Railroad "conductor" based in Philadelphia.
"William Still's "The Underground Rail Road" is an incredibly rare first hand account of a clandestine organization responsible for freeing thousands of African American slaves in the years leading up to the American Civil War and is a must for anyone wanting learn more about this compelling chapter in our nation's history," said John Seitter, Director of Product Development, South Jersey Tourism Corp.
The general public is invited to attend the reception and speakers' program. Admission is free. Books will be available for sale, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Lawnside Historical Society.
South Jersey was a major route on the legendary Underground Railroad for escaping slaves in the years from 1830 until 1861, led by intrepid conductors and station masters such as Harriet Tubman and the Rev. Peter Mott.
Today, this proud heritage is preserved in historic sites throughout South Jersey, many of which are open to the public for tours, such as:
Mount Zion A.M.E. Church in Swedesboro - Built in 1838. It is one of the oldest A.M.E congregations in New Jersey. Legend has it that Harriet Tubman attended services here.
Peter Mott House in Lawnside - Unique as the only Underground Railroad station owned by an African American in an all African American community. Peter Mott also served as pastor of nearby Mount Pisgah A.M.E. Church.
Historic Haddonfield - a Quaker and abolitionist stronghold. During the early 1800s, many of the residents in Haddonfield provided shelter and land to escaping slaves in what is today known as Lawnside.
Jacob's Chapel in Mount Laurel - Originally built in 1813. Members of the Still family, as well as African American veterans of the Civil War, are buried in its cemetery.
Goodwin Sisters House in Salem City - While not open for public tours, this former home of Quaker abolitionists Abigail and Elizabeth Goodwin is easily viewed from the outside. The home was a stop on the UGRR beginning in 1838.
Visitors to these and other sites can trace the route as an enslaved people made their dream of escaping to freedom a reality in South Jersey.
Call the South Jersey Tourism Corp. at 856-757-9400 or the Lawnside Historical Society at 856-546-8850 for further information about historic Underground Railroad sites in South Jersey.
EVENT DETAILS:
Saturday, Feb. 26, 2005
2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Reception
2:30 - 3:00 p.m. Welcome Address and Speakers' Program
Mount Pisgah AME Church, 306 Warwick Road, Lawnside, NJ
Speakers:
Rev. Dr. Katherine Rose, Pastor, Mount Pisgah AME Church
Clarence Still, Still Family Patriarch and Trustee Chairman, Lawnside Historical Society
Linda Waller, President, Lawnside Historical Society
John Seitter, Director of Product Development, South Jersey Tourism Corp.
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About South Jersey Tourism Corp.
The South Jersey Tourism Corporation was created in 2003 through a grant from the Delaware River Port Authority to develop and promote tourism assets in Burlington, Mercer, Camden, Gloucester and Salem Counties in New Jersey. The mission of the SJTC is to promote the South Jersey Delaware River counties as a destination and increase visits to its many attractions and cultural and heritage sites, thereby stimulating economic growth and maximizing the value that tourism brings to the region's communities. Its core objective is to increase tourism related expenditures, including money spent by visitors at local hotels and motels, and employment in South Jersey communities bordered by the Delaware River.
About The Lawnside Historical Society
The mission of the Lawnside Historical Society is to preserve and protect the heritage of Lawnside, N.J., the state's only African-American incorporated municipality, by restoring the Peter Mott House for use as a museum and station along the Underground Railroad, the clandestine network to freedom for fugitives in the 19th century.
About The Still Family Society
The Still Family Society is dedicated to preserving the history of this "American Family" and promoting its legacy for generations to come. The Society sponsors a family reunion each August in Lawnside, NJ, according to the wishes of William Still, Father of the Underground Railroad. The next reunion will be the 135th.
About Plexus Publishing, Inc.
Incorporated in 1977, Plexus Publishing, Inc. was located in Louisville, KY, before moving in 1978 to its current location in Medford, New Jersey. In addition to being a regional publisher, Plexus also publishes titles in the field of biology and ecology. Its flagship publication, Biology Digest, is now in its 30th year of providing current, readable information in the life sciences to over 3,000 schools, colleges, and libraries. Its book list extends from technical-scientific works to histories, folklore, and novels.
