Buffalo, which came into being when Dutch investors purchased the settlement from the Native American Seneca tribe, has also played a very important role in the Civil War. The underground railway, which was used by slaves as a route to their freedom in Canada, stopped at this region, regardless of the direction the slaves were traveling in.
It is the poignant stories of these brave men and women who risked their lives to freedom, which the Freedom Crossing seeks to tell. This interpretive center, which is housed in the Niagara County Gallery, is the region's first permanent Underground Railway exhibit. The exhibit aims to inform visitors about the various Underground Railway sites in this region. You can view a number of historic photographs, artifacts, art depictions and even listen to stories at the audio stations that are located here. You will also find significant information about the other historic attractions in Buffalo including Frank Lloyd Wright's Darwin Martin House here. The permanent exhibition and information center is supported by New York State's Underground Railroad Heritage Trail Grant Program. You can also purchase brochures and maps to the historic Underground Railroad sites at various points throughout the center.
The Freedom Crossing exhibit is open to visitors between 11 am and 5 pm, Tuesday through Saturday and from 1 pm to 5 pm on Sunday. For further information, you can call the Castellani Art Museum, where this exhibit is housed at 716) 286-8200 or refer to the website http://www.niagara.edu/cam .
The Freedom Crossing Exhibit
Castellani Art Museum
Niagara University
Niagara University, NY 14109
