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July 11, 2023, 7pm
“Slavery’s Journey to America: Beaver County, Pennsylvania’s Underground Railroad Involvement”, Program developed by Odette Lambert and Ken Locke, presented by Odett’s children, Carol Fedeles, Dr. Brian Lambert, Joan Shanahan, and Greta Bible, Historians.
“Slavery’s Journey to America: Beaver County, Pennsylvania’s Underground Railroad Involvement,” contains a history of slavery and how it made its way onto the North America continent. It shows how the people and the geography of the northern states played an important role in assisting the runaway slaves to freedom. Specific western Pennsylvania routes, towns, and families are documented throughout the program, leaving the viewer with a sense of awe and pride in how this little town of New Brighton made such an impact on those who sought freedom and the conductors who were willing to sacrifice it all to assist those runaway slaves. The speakers will also be bringing a display of various artifacts and pictures associated with the Underground Railroad.
Nearly thirty years ago, Odette Lambert, a longtime member and past president of the New Brighton Historical Society, was asked by a middle school teacher what she knew about New Brighton, Pennsylvania’s involvement in the Underground Railroad. She knew very little and began to research the topic. Through much reading about the history of slavery and pouring through Beaver County and New Brighton history books, she began to unravel the fascinating history of the town’s Quaker founders, the Townsend family, and their clandestine involvement of using their homes and businesses as safe houses. She and a fellow New Brighton Historical Society member, Ken Locke, developed a slide show and presented it to many local schools and organizations over the years. Today, Odette is 95 years old and is still involved in the New Brighton Historical Society and continues to learn more about her town’s connection to the Underground Railroad. She recently had bright yellow historical markers placed at each known safe house in New Brighton and initiated the Underground Railroad Walking Tour of New Brighton. The slideshow Odette Lambert and Ken Locke developed years ago has been updated into a video by Odette’s children, Carol Fedeles, Dr. Brian Lambert, Joan Shanahan, and Greta Bible.
Nonmembers of the Society are welcome to attend. Contact the Salem Historical Society if you have questions, 330-337-8514
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