Terry Ransom to Present Underground Railroad Program

Terry Ransom wraps up the Fall fireside chats at the Iles House on Wednesday, September 28 at 7:00 P.M. with a program on the Underground Railroad in Illinois.

Terry was born in Champaign, Illinois and was raised in Springfield, Illinois. His interest include Scouting, of which he has been a volunteer for over forty years. He is an accomplished leather crafter. He enjoys enjoys hunting, fishing and almost anything that has to do with the out-of-doors. His major interest for the past two decades has been the history of African Americans as it relates to the Underground Railroad in Illinois .

Terry has based his research on the work of W. B. Siebert, whose book, The Underground Railroad – From Slavery to Freedom, which was published in 1898 and continues to be the most authoritative source of information on the subject.

Terry has had the opportunity to participate as a researcher with the National Park Service studying the routes of the Underground Railroad within Illinois . He has presented an overview of his research at a national Underground Railroad advisory committee meeting in Washington , D.C. He has presented programs for the Illinois State Historical Society, various county historical societies schools and many private and civic organizations.

The program will provide an overview of the Underground Railroad in Illinois , to include laws, routes, the three primary entry points and various personalities and safe houses.

The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served after the program.