The James E. Bonine House, at the intersection of M-60 and Penn Road, is one of the sites open for tours during the annual Underground Railroad Days festival, Saturday and Sunday, July 9 and 10.
The Village of Vandalia and the Underground Railroad Society invite the public to the annual Underground Railroad Days celebration, Saturday and Sunday, July 9 and 10, 11:00am to 5:00pm.
Activities include arts and crafts booths on the Village grounds, guided tours of Kentucky Raid sites, open houses at the historic James E. Bonine House, Bonine Carriage House, and the Stephen Bogue House, living history encampment of the 102nd US Colored Troops, music in Milo Barnes Park, displays at the Vandalia Youth Center where there are also presentations at 1:00pm and 3:00pm. The Village is also hosting a community church service Sunday morning, July 10.
The festival celebrates the legacy of the Underground Railroad in Cass County, particularly the area around Vandalia known as “Young’s Prairie,” which includes portions of Calvin, Porter and Penn townships. The Underground Railroad existed in this area from 1830 to 1860 and it is estimated about 1,500 fugitive slaves (called freedom seekers now) passed through this area on their way to Canada. Many stayed for a time and worked on Quaker farms. They were targets of the infamous 1847 Kentucky Slave Raid.
Parking and all events are free, donations are appreciated. For more information about the Underground Railroad Society, visit them online: www.urscc.org.
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