“The Underground Railroad in Pennsylvania” is the subject of a slideshow lecture at 1 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum, 432 W. Walnut St., Allentown.

“The story of the Underground Railroad is primarily a story of courageous African-Americans, dedicated to freedom, acting in the face of incredible obstacles,” said Joseph Garrera, Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum Executive Director.

The “Underground Railroad” was a metaphor for a loose network of secret routes and safe houses that were used by black slaves to travel from slavery into freedom.

While traditional concepts of the Underground Railroad often ignore the vital role of free blacks, historians now are discovering the important role African-Americans played in helping slaves escape. They risked their freedom and even lives to help others.

Enslaved persons who took destiny into their own hands to seek freedom also showed incredible courage, living in constant fear of being recaptured. All knew of recaptured slaves who were brutally whipped and sold “down the river,” dividing families and sending them into conditions that were, if possible, worse than their previous situations.

Pennsylvania, with its southern border along Maryland and Delaware, played a critical role in the Underground Railroad. The Quakers, who first settled Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, opposed slavery. Philadelphia was also home to a significant community of free blacks. Many slaves escaping from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia, headed toward Philadelphia, where they found workers eager to help them travel further north.

The famous black abolitionist Frederick Douglass made his successful escape through Philadelphia. One route north from Philadelphia travelled through Quakertown, Bethlehem, Palmerton and Stroudsburg on the way to New York or even Canada.

The program is being held in conjunction with African-American History Month. The celebration, which originated in 1925, pays tribute to the many achievements of African-Americans.

The program is funded in part by a Community Partnership Grant from the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation.

Information: 610-435-1074