The Underground Railroad in the Finger Lakes
The fight against slavery as a "tradition" and the desire to help escaped slaves was strong and active in the Finger Lakes for several reasons. 1) New York was a "free" state. 2) A number of prominent people who worked hard against slavery lived in or near the Finger Lakes. 3) The location of the Finger Lakes meant that many slaves passed through the Finger Lakes on their way to freedom in Canada.
At the time of the Underground Railroad, every city in the Finger Lakes had active groups of people who allowed slaves to take respite in their homes, and just about every small hamlet throughout the region had some home or farm that did the same. But many of these places were so secret that, even today, no one knows where all of them were.
It's impossible to know who all the people were who helped slaves and to give them credit for their brave acts of kindness. Some of the more outspoken or openly active ones are listed below.
 PEOPLE
Frederick Douglass
Millard Fillmore
William "Jerry" Henry
Jarmain (Jermain) Loguen
William H. Seward
Gerrit Smith
Harriet Tubman
PLACES
Cayuga County
19 Fort St.
Auburn, NY 13201
315-253-8132
Many notable people are buried here, including William H. Seward and Harriet Tubman.
2956 State Route 34B (Hamlet of Sherwood)
Aurora, NY 13026
315-364-8307
A beautiful 1837 cobblestone store owned by Slocum Howland that acted as a station on the Underground Railroad and a source of employment for escaped slaves.
33 South St.
Auburn, NY 13021
The life and times of abolitionist and former secretary of state William H. Seward and his family. On the National Register of Historic Places, designated a National Historic Landmark, and on the New York State Underground Railroad Heritage Trail.
180 South St.
Auburn, NY 13201
315-252-2081
Four buildings, including the home Harriet Tubman owned and lived in while in Auburn, on 26 acres.
180-182 South St.
Auburn, NY 13021
Period: 1900-1924
The life of Harriet Tubman (1820-1913), abolitionist, humanitarian. On the National Register of Historic Places, designated a National Historic Landmark, and on the New York State Underground Railroad Heritage Trail.
Chemung County
1250 Davis St.
Elmira, NY 14901
Period: 1850-1924
The life of abolitionist John W. Jones (1817-1900). On the New York State Underground Railroad Heritage Trail.
1200 Walnut St.
Elmira, NY 14905
607-732-0151
Along with many other well-known people associated with Elmira such as Hal Roach and Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) and the many Civil War prisoners he kept record of, John W. Jones is buried in this national cemetery.
36 King St.
Rochester, NY 14608
The center provides in-depth information on the life and legacy of Frederick Douglass and others involved in the movements for the abolition of slavery and civil rights. Resource library, cultural gallery, classrooms and meeting space.
791 Mt. Hope Ave.
Rochester, NY 14620
585-461-3494
Burial site of many well-known Rochesterians, including Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony.
Onondaga County
Harriet May Mills House (Harriet Smith and CDB Mills House)
1074 W. Genesee St.
Syracuse, NY 13204
On the National Register of Historic Places, this house is associated with abolitionist Harriet May Mills (1826-1928). See more information on Mills and the house. The house is privately owned and not open to the public.
James Canning Fuller and Lydia Charleton Fuller House
98 W. Genesee St.
Skaneateles, NY 13152
Designed by architects Peter Thompson and John Billing, this large Federal-style house acted as a station on the Underground Railroad. It is privately owned and not open to the public.
Jerry Rescue Memorial Site
Clinton Square
Syracuse, NY 13202
Sculpture depicting the rescue of William "Jerry" Henry from U.S. marshals who wanted to send him back into slavery.
Matilda Joslyn Gage House
The Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation
210 E. Genesee St.
Fayetteville, NY 13066
315-637-9511
Huge Federal-style house that served as a station on the Underground Railroad.
Oakwood Cemetery
940 Comstock Ave.
Syracuse, NY 13205
315-475--2194
Burial site of Jarmain Loguen and other participants in the Undergeround Railroad in Syracuse.
321 Montgomery St.
Syracuse, NY 13202
315-428-1864
Artwork, clothing, the decorative arts, toys, American Indians, the Underground Railroad, and other historical events and artifacts dealing with Syracuse and Onondaga County. Museum shop.
232 E. Onondaga St.
Syracuse, NY 13202
315-474-4836
Large red brick church once pastored by well-known abolitionist Henry Ward Beecher. This church has a long history as a refuge for escaped slaves and as a pulpit for anti-slavery sentiments.
Seneca County
401 E. Main St.
Waterloo, NY 13165
315-568-2991
The home of Jane C. Hunt and Richard Pell Hunt. Richard Hunt was a Quaker and the richest man in Waterloo. He owned several farms and was secretary of the Waterloo Woolen Factory. With a partner, he also owned a dry-goods store called Hunt and Hoyt. He made a contribution to build the Wesleyan Chapel in Seneca Falls and supported the anti-slavery movement. In 1842 he was vice-president of the American Anti-Slavery Society in Rochester, and it is suspected that the Hunt house was a way-station on the Underground Railroad. In 1845 he was married for the fourth time to June Clothier Master. The house was the location where Jane Hunt and other activists met to plan the women's rights convention. Richard Hunt was directly related to eight signers of the Declaration of Sentiments. The house is part of the Women's Right National Historical Park.
14 E. William St.
Waterloo, NY 13165
The former home of Quakers Thomas and Mary Ann M'Clintock. The house was a station on the Underground Railroad and the place where the women's rights Declaration of Sentiments was drafted.
State Rt. 96A
Hamlet of Rose Hill
Fayette, NY 13065
Former site of one of the largest concentrations of slaves in Upstate New York. The mansion, designated a National Historic Landmark, is now owned by the Geneva Historical Society and open to the public.
Yates County
3456 State Rt. 54A
Keuka Park, NY 14478
Finished in 1838 and belonging to John Nicholas Rose, this 19-room Greek Revival mansion is thought to have been a safe house for slaves on their way from Bath to Penn Yan.
WEB SITES OF INTEREST
WAYMARKS
Freeman Home--Middleport
Pitts Mansion--Honeoye
Richardson Farm--Henriettta
Warrant Homestead--Rochester
Updated 9 April 2009
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