Uptown Westerville is a Place to Experience the Freedom Trail

I hear, I forget. I see, I remember. I do, I understand -- Chinese proverb.

Coming up October 2, 3, 4, 2009: The Westerville Public Library, Westerville Parks & Recreation, and Westerville Historical Society present Westerville's Freedom Trail: A Dramatic Underground Railroad Experience at Heritage Park (60 N. Cleveland).

Learn about Westerville's role in the Freedom Trail and live history by becoming a fugitive slave on the Underground Railroad.

Follow the drinking gourd... participants will travel to auction in a horse-drawn wagon and steal away into the cover of night, encountering conductors and abolitionists to guide them on their way north to freedom.

This unique event has 11 performances and is limited to 25 participants per performance:

Friday, October 2nd: 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 3rd: 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 4th: 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m.

There is a $10 per person fee. (Cash, check, VISA, or MasterCard accepted.) And, participants should dress to travel on foot in fall weather. Sunset is a bit after 7 p.m. on those dates. This experience is for ages 12 and up and the escape route is not handicap accessible.

Registration is required by noon Thursday, October 1st. (You can pay at the event, but admittance is limited to available space.

You can register three ways:

In-person: registration hours are Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Westerville Community Center, 350 N. Cleveland Avenue.

Online: But you need to pre-register to register! Prior to online registration, you must complete a pre-registration form that allows registration online for one year for other Parks & Rec events. Pre-registration forms are available at the Community Center or in the Parks and Recreation Department Brochure (the magazine that lists all the Parks & Recs activities.

By mail: Complete the registration form in the Recreation Department Brochure and send it along with payment to Westerville Parks & Recreation, 350 N. Cleveland Avenue, Westerville, OH 43082.

Contact the Community Center Hotline at 614.901.6500. The staff at the desk can tell you about available space for each performance and answer any questions.

Event participants can watch a DVD presented by the Columbus Freedom Center and the Ohio Historical Society is providing an artifact exhibit.

Resource Materials.

Refreshments.

Click here to view the event flyer.