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Historian Walking to Canada from DC

Though not AT-related, I thought this might be of interest to some on the 
list.  I heard an interview with this guy on NPR this a.m. and decided to 
see if I could find anything on the web about his walk - and sure enough 
- found this page on the NPCA page.  I don't know why they didn't give 
out the URL at the end of the interview.  And there was no sign of it on 
the NPR homepage, either, at least as far as I could see....

--Kathy kathy@fred.net

URL: http://www.npca.org/walk.html

>                          The Walk to Canada
>                   Tracing the Underground Railroad
> 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
>  [Photograph: Tony Cohen]  Welcome to the Walk to Canada!
> 
> I am Anthony Cohen, an historian and author
> who has spent the past three years researching
> the Underground Railroad in the Washington,D.C. area,
> revealing many of its secrets in the process.
> 
> Maryland stood as the final outpost of slavery for freedom seekers
> heading north along the routes throughout the seaboard states to the
> borders of Canada.
> 
> On May 4, 1996, I set out on foot to trace one of the routes of the
> Underground Railroad from Maryland to Canada.
> 
> My journey began in Montgomery County, Maryland, in the Quaker
> community of Sandy Spring (once a station on the Underground
> Railroad) and it will wind its way through Pennsylvania and New
> York, ending in the Ontario town of Amherstburg during the first
> week in July. I will not only follow the route which the Sandy
> Spring slaves traveled, but also stay in many of the very homes
> which offered shelter to those weary travelers.
> 
> I have found that many Underground Railroad sites exist within the
> present boundaries of our National Parks and their neighboring
> communities, although many are not yet documented. It is my goal to
> uncover more sites, and the National Parks and Conservation
> Association (NPCA) is working with me, through this web page, so
> that you can participate in my journey of discovery.
> 
> During their journey through northern towns, the slaves sought
> assistance and shelter from abolitionists and sympathizers. This
> secret network of people and places is known as the Underground
> Railroad (UGRR). Although many of the towns and stations on the
> Underground Railroad are landmarks to this struggle, little is known
> of the secret routes which linked these brave communities.
> 
> Fugitive slaves walked hundreds of miles to reach their
> destinations. I, too, will use only those methods of travel
> available in the times of slavery: no cars or buses, and mainly on
> foot. I will limit my path to those roads which existed at the time,
> many of which are traveled upon today.
> 
> Many of us (and possibly you, too) have pondered the question,
> "Would I have helped out on the Underground Railroad if I lived
> during those times?" Here are a few ways you can help me as I trace
> the path to freedom:
> 
>    * Help me plan my route. If you know of an Underground Railroad
>      home, trail or town that is on or near my route through
>      Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, or Canada, please let me
>      know. If I can, I will stop there.
> 
>    * Walk part of the route with me. Send a message letting me know
>      when and how far you wish to travel.
> 
>    * Be a "scout" on the Underground Railroad. Send a message and
>      sign up as a "scout" and watch for me as I come through your
>      county or town. I will make time to visit with people on the
>      trail, and if possible, I may come speak to your school or
>      community group.
> 
>    * Keep in touch with this Web site. Send messages and
>      suggestions, and read what others have to say.
> 
> This project will not end in July. This is just the beginning. A
> film crew will travel with me, recording the people, places and
> artifacts of the experience, and we will release a documentary film
> and a book next year.
> 
> But that's not all ...
> 
> The National Parks and Conservation Association (NPCA), America's
> only private, nonprofit citizen organization dedicated solely to
> protecting, preserving, and enhancing the U.S. National Park System,
> is supporting my walk. NPCA is working with the National Park
> Service and others to build a consensus of support for an initiative
> being reviewed by Congress to find the best way to commemorate and
> interpret the Underground Railroad.
> 
> I will be drawing attention to this wonderful project by visiting
> several National Park sites which preserve and interpret the
> Underground RailRoad.
> 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> [Image] Map and Itinerary: Tony's Route from Sandy Spring to Canada
> [Image] Tony's Progess: Weekly Reports and Schedule of Radio
> Interviews
> 
>    * New Report from Tony posted Friday May 17th
>    * Tony on call-in show on WDCU (Jazz 90 in Washington DC) 1 pm
>      Sunday May 19.
> 
> [Image] Send A Message to Tony

NOTE: The address to use is: npca@npca.org

> [Image] Tony Answers Your Frequently Asked Questions
> [Image] Explore other Underground Railroad Sites on the Web
> 
> Educational Materials
> Parents and teachers wishing to enrich a child's understanding of
> the Underground Railroad can purchase a special school kit
> containing a map, historic photographs, and other background
> materials.
> 
> Or, for more information send a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
> The Walk for Canada, 33 Baileys Court, Silver Spring, Maryland
> 20906.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> Return to NPCA's Home Page
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> Please send your comments and suggestions to: npca@npca.org
> Copyright 1996, National Parks and Conservation Association
> Last revision: 5/17/96