Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center facts for kids
Entrance
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| Established | 2018 |
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| Location | Niagara Falls,  New York |
| Type | African American history |
| Public transit access |  Amtrak (Niagara Falls Station and Customhouse Interpretive Center) NFTA Route 50 Discover Niagara |
The Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center is a special museum in Niagara Falls, New York. It teaches visitors about the Underground Railroad, which was a secret network that helped enslaved people find freedom. The museum opened in 2018.
You can find the museum on the first floor of an old building. This building was once a U.S. Customhouse, built way back in 1863. It is part of the Niagara Falls Station and Customhouse Interpretive Center.
The Museum's Story
The idea for a museum about the Underground Railroad in Niagara Falls started in 2007. Two people, Charles A. Walker and Kevin E. Cottrell, had an idea called "North Star on North Main." They wanted to remember the important history of this area.
New York State began to provide money for the museum in 2008. The State Legislature created a special group called the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Commission. This group worked to create the museum.
The museum officially opened its doors on May 4, 2018. It is recognized by the National Park Service. This means it is part of the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area. The museum is run by both the National Park Service and the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Commission.
What You Can See: Exhibits
The museum offers an "experiential" visit. This means you can really feel like you are part of the story. One main exhibit is called "One More River to Cross." It tells the story of the Underground Railroad in Niagara Falls.
This exhibit explains how the location of Niagara Falls was important. It also highlights the brave actions of local residents, especially African-American residents. They played a big part in helping people escape to freedom.
Important Places Recreated
The museum has recreated some important places. One is the Cataract House. This was a hotel in Niagara Falls. All of its wait staff were African-American. These workers secretly helped many enslaved people escape to freedom in Canada.
Another recreated spot is the International Suspension Bridge. This bridge was first built in 1848. It was rebuilt in 1855 to allow trains to cross. Famous people like Harriet Tubman and many others crossed this bridge to reach freedom in Canada.
In 2019, the "One More River to Cross" exhibit won an Award of Excellence. This award came from the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH). It recognized the exhibit's great quality.
See also
