WARREN - The Sutliff Museum will be hosting its sixth annual one-day bus tours for spring with this year's theme, "On the Underground Railroad."
Sally Thomas, curator at the museum, said the tours will all go to historic sites in Ohio and Pennsylvania that were stations on the Underground Railroad.
The first tour on April 24 will be to Mercer, Pa., where there were many stations on the railroad. The Director of the Mercer County Historical Society will share stories of the houses, along a trail, that were used by escaping slaves in the mid-1800s.
Thomas said there will also be time for a visit to the historical society's museum and lunch at the Tavern, where the proprietor will tell the stories of the fugitives who were hidden there, including a secret trap door slaves passed through to hide. There will also be a trip to Volant, Pa.
The second trip in May is to Salem, a historical Quaker town known for its support of the Underground Railroad. The local historical society will provide trolley rides to see the local Underground Railroad sites.
A visit to the Salem Historical Museum will inform travelers about the Abolition activities in Salem.
The group will eat at the historic Spread Eagle Tavern, also an Underground Railroad station, at a cost of $14.50.
Thomas said the third trip this year on June 16 will be to Massillon for a visit to Spring Hill Historic Home, another Quaker safe haven for escaped slaves. An interactive Underground Railroad experience re-enacting the flight of the fugitives will be offered, along with a picnic lunch on the grounds, for $15.
The second feature of this trip will be a visit to the Studio Arts and Glass shop to see the art of stained glass making.
Registrations are being taken for all three trips. Call 330-856-6293 to receive a form or visit www.sutliffmuseum.org.
Thomas said for all trips, the CCS Trans motor coach will depart from the Walmart parking lot off Elm Road N.E. on Warren's northeast side. The cost of each of the trips is $45, which includes transportation, driver's tip, admission fees, tour guides and snacks, and bottled water on the bus. Brief lectures on the bus will provide information on the Underground Railroad in Ohio and Trumbull County.