LaPointe awarded Hortense Simmons Memorial Prize

Cathy LaPointe, an original founder of the Underground Railroad Society of Cass County, on the steps of the Bonine House.

The Underground Railroad Society of Cass County, Michigan, is proud to announce that Cathy LaPointe is the recipient of the Hortense Simmons Memorial Prize for Advancement of Knowledge. The award was given by the national Underground Railroad Free Press www.urrfreepress.com.

LaPointe is an original founder of Underground Railroad Society of Cass County (URSCC) in 2009, long-time treasurer and volunteer executive director.  URSCC is 501c3 non-profit (30 0574281) located in Vandalia. The Society’s mission is to “Research and educate about the Underground Railroad and its legacy in Cass County, Michigan; and restore four buildings as focal points for telling this story.”

“Research and educate” is fulfilled by URSCC website wwwurscc.org, a 20-site UGRR driving tour about Vandalia, and three annual events: student UGRR Wax Museum, Underground Railroad Festival, second weekend of July, and Christmas at the Bonine House, December 1-14. 

“Restore four buildings” is fulfilled by the Bonine House, the Bonine Carriage House, the Stephen and Hannah East Bogue house, and the Brownsville #1 one room school.

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   The Bonine House is the Victorian home of James E. and Sarah Bogue Bonine, Quaker abolitionists and stationmasters on the Underground Railroad, who sheltered fugitive slaves (now call freedom seekers) in their Carriage House.

   Stephen and Hannah East Bogue sheltered freedom seekers in their home in 1830s to 1850s, The Bogue House is a site of the 1847 Kentucky Slave Raid. 

   URSCC purchased c.1840 Brownsville #1 one-room school in Calvin Township in 2022.  Evidence supports that Brownsville #1 is the first and longest integrated public school in Michigan, perhaps in the country.

   The Bonine House, Carriage House and Bogue House are open for tours from May to October.  Brownsville School is open during Underground Railroad Days Festival, and special events.  URSCC invite all to Christmas at the Bonine House, December 1-14, 1-6pm weather permitting.  For more information and contact URSCC on website wwwurscc.org .

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