Origins of the Underground Railroad in Lancaster County

Beginning at LancasterHistory, attendees will receive a brief orientation about the Underground Railroad, illustrated with maps and posters. After the orientation, the tour continues with a short, one-mile drive into downtown Lancaster City with cellphone communication between up to two vehicles. The guide and attendees will park their vehicles and walk throughout a three-square block area of the historic City of Lancaster's downtown area.

Sites include:

• Shreiner Concord Cemetery, the location of the grave and monument of US Congressman Thaddeus Stevens;
• The Fulton Theatre, built on the foundations of the old Lancaster County jail where two formerly enslaved women daringly escaped in 1835;
• Penn Square, to discuss physical transportation and transportation networks as pathways of the Underground Railroad movement;
• The Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Historic Site, a safe house of the Underground Railroad; and
• Site of the Philadelphia & Columbia Railroad, a pathway of the Underground Railroad.

Tour Length & Size

This tour lasts 90 minutes to 2 hours, and is a combination of a walking and driving tour. The tour is perfect for small groups of 5-10 people, but can be adjusted for larger groups such as buses. The minimum group size to reserve is 5 individuals.

During the driving part of the tour, your tour guide will create a call between up to two additional vehicles. (Vehicles and cellphones must be supplied by attendees, not LancasterHistory.)

For groups larger than 10 persons who may have access to a van, moderate size motor coach or large motor coaches and are interested in booking this tour option, please contact Randy Harris to discuss options for a variety of tour routes, pricing and other accommodations.

Health & Safety and Accessibility

Please view the section below on the webpage to read about these requirements or policies.

Pricing

To inquire about pricing, please fill out our Group Tour Information Request form or contact ugrr@lancasterhistory.org.

A minimum notice of two weeks is required to book a private tour. A deposit is required at time of booking to secure a tour's date and time. The remaining balance is due one week out from tour date. More details are supplied in our booking contract.

Reservations

This tour option is available to book on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays by advance reservations only. Reservations are required at least two weeks in advance. Less notice is subject to LancasterHistory's availability and discretion.

Those interested in booking this tour option should contact ugrr@lancasterhistory.org or by calling (717) 392-4633, ext. 131.

How to Prepare For The Tour

We recommend tour attendees:

• Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and footwear;
• Bring a properly fitting face mask or covering (required, regardless of vaccination status, for those 2+ years or older);
• Bring at least one cellphone;
• Be prepared to pay for on-street parking; and
• A camera or notebook for note taken (at your leisure).

Beginning at the Mifflin House in Wrightsville, PA (York County), attendees will receive a brief orientation about the Underground Railroad, illustrated with maps and posters. After the orientation, the tour continues with excursions to other sites associated with the Underground Railroad with a cellphone or PA system narration between vehicles. Upon reaching the City of Lancaster, the guide and attendees will park their vehicles and walk throughout a three-square block area of the historic City of Lancaster's downtown area.

Sites include:

• The Mifflin House, one of the oldest safehouses in the United States;
• Zion Hill Cemetery, the burial site of many African American Underground Railroad agents and members of the US Colored Troops;
• Shreiner Concord Cemetery, the location of the grave and monument of US Congressman Thaddeus Stevens; and
• The Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Historic Site, a safe house of the Underground Railroad.

Other custom routes or starting points available. Please call to discuss.

Tour Length & Size

This tour lasts 3 - 4 hours, and is a combination of a walking and driving tour. The tour is perfect for groups of 5 - 10 individuals, but can be adjusted for larger groups such as buses. The minimum size to reserve a tour is 5 individuals.

During the driving part of the tour, your tour guide will create a call between up to two additional vehicles. (Vehicles and cellphones must be supplied by attendees, not LancasterHistory.) For bus or motor coach vehicles, the guide will ride on the bus and use the on-board PA system to speak.

For groups larger than 10 persons who may have access to a van, moderate size motor coach or large motor coaches and are interested in booking this tour option, please contact Randy Harris to discuss options for a variety of tour routes, pricing and other accommodations.

Health & Safety and Accessibility

Please view the section below on the webpage to read about these requirements or policies.

Pricing

To inquire about pricing, please fill out our Group Tour Information Request form or contact ugrr@lancasterhistory.org.

A minimum notice of two weeks is required to book a private tour. A deposit is required at time of booking to secure a tour's date and time. The remaining balance is due one week out from tour date. More details are supplied in our booking contract.

Reservations

This tour option is available to book on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays by advance reservations only. Reservations are required at least two weeks in advance. Less notice is subject to LancasterHistory's availability and discretion.

Those interested in booking this tour option should contact ugrr@lancasterhistory.org or by calling (717) 392-4633, ext. 131.

How to Prepare For The Tour

We recommend tour attendees:

• Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and footwear;
• Bring a properly fitting face mask or covering (required, regardless of vaccination status, for those 2+ years or older);
• Bring at least one cellphone;
• Be prepared to pay for on-street parking; and
• A camera or notebook for note taken (at your leisure).