To connect locals to the Underground Railroad, local historians presented at Sept. 24’s Freedom’s Path event, held at Montgomery Village Hall. The presentation was intended to educate the community and demonstrate how everyday citizens can still make an impact to this day.
“I think when students learn about local historical landmarks and local things that happened in the history that happened in their local area,” Manager, Aurora University Registrar, and historian Zach Bishop said, “it just brings [that] history to life.”
Organizers hope that this presentation will encourage locals to explore how national historical events played out in their own backyards.
“Our area is basically like a Goldilocks zone for these historic periods, so you could walk through many of the same or the town and see many of the same houses that freedom seekers were actually at,” said Collections Manager at St. Charles History Museum and Historian Eric Krupa.
For Kane County locals, recognizing local streets that were once part of Freedom Networks can offer a new perspective to their towns.
“I think that high school students should care, because everything that happens in history is constantly being repeated,” said OH junior Charlotte Mattern, “and I think learning about history is a great way to stop it from happening again.”
Bishop also hopes that attendees of this event will walk away with a new perspective.
“National history, this big national historical event that happened nationwide that we often read about as happening in other places actually happened here in Montgomery in Kane and Kendall counties,” said Bishop.
Organizers aim to find, and honor not yet recognized abolitionists to ensure their contributions to the movement are finally brought to light and properly credited.
“There’s a lot of unsung heroes that still need to be recognized, honestly, to this day,” said Krupa.
Hello! My name is Craig Spicher, and I am a Senior at Oswego High School. This is my first year on staff at 42Fifty, and I am excited to serve the local community as a staff reporter! You can contact me by emailing 42Fifty@sd308.org and putting my name in the subject line. We welcome comments on our articles and feedback on our publication!
