West Bloomfield

Historical society to conduct Underground Railroad event

By Eric Czarnik
C & G Staff Writer

WEST BLOOMFIELD — Leap Day will be the date when metro Detroiters can jump back to the 19th century and learn more about the perilous journey that some slaves took to freedom in the antebellum era.

The Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society and the West Bloomfield Township Public Library are teaming up to honor Black History Month and teach patrons about the local lore behind the Underground Railroad Feb. 29.

Historical Society program chair Gina Gregory said members have been interested in facilitating a Black History Month event for “years and years.” While there used to be many crossing points in the Great Lakes region, she said so much is still unknown.

“Farmington was pretty active in the Underground Railroad,” she said. “There’s so much unsubstantiated. It’s very hard to substantiate it. We’re just thrilled to be able to offer this program to the public.”

Carole Lynn Hovsepian, a Historical Society program supervisor, explained that the Underground Railroad was a network of people who furtively helped fugitive slaves escape Southern states, where slavery was legal. The escaped slaves often traveled to the north and Canada during the years leading up to the Civil War.

During the event, a few metro Detroiters are expected to speak and share local stories of the Underground Railroad’s reach. Hildy Corbett will discuss Shelby Township’s Beacon Tree, and Susie DiPace will talk about the 1860 Andrus Octagon House, located in Washington Township.

Orchard Lake Mayor Bruce McIntyre will have his own story to share. Historical Society members say his home might have ties to the freedom path, though they stress that it hasn’t been confirmed. McIntyre was unavailable for comment.

According to Hovsepian, a replica of a quilt that contains hidden messages will be displayed. She explained that escapees frequently tried to seek freedom by crossing from Detroit to Windsor or from Port Huron to Canada. “Quilts were an important vehicle of sharing those messages,” she said.

Although the event does not require registration, Hovsepian hopes that people throughout the Detroit area will gather together and learn about this chapter of American history.

“West Bloomfield is a very multicultural community,” she said. “I think we’re going to have a pretty good turnout for it.”

The Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society and the West Bloomfield Township Public Library are hosting a forum on the Underground Railroad from 7-9 p.m. Feb. 29 at the library, 4600 Walnut Lake Road. Admission is free. To learn more, call (248) 682-2120.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Eric Czarnik at eczarnik@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1058.