Abolitionist William Still was born on October 7, 1821. I read Still’s “The Underground Rail Road” when I was in high school. I have been fascinated with this fearless Black man ever since.

I lead a walking tour, “Underground Railroad Philadelphia: Walking in William Still’s Footsteps.” The walk begins near the location of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society where Still worked as a clerk and was reunited with his brother Peter.

Henry “Box” Brown was delivered to freedom here.

We stop at places associated with the Father of the Underground Railroad, including Independence Hall, Mother Bethel AME Church, Lombard Street Central Presbyterian Church, and William Still’s boarding house.

The walking tour features sites associated with “friends of the fugitive,” including Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Robert Purvis, Dr. J. J. Gould Bias, Sarah Buchanan, William Whipper, Jacob C. White Jr., Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, Frances E.W. Harper, and Henrietta Duterte.

The last stop is the South Philly rowhouse where Still and his wife, Letitia, lived from 1852 to 1855. This is where Still began to record the stories of hundreds of self-emancipated “weary travelers flying from the land of bondage.”

The weary travelers included Harriet Tubman and her brothers Ben, Henry and Robert who escaped Maryland on Christmas Eve 1854 and arrived at Still’s door five days later on December 29, 1854.

To be added to the mailing list, arrange a group tour or schedule a presentation, contact Faye Anderson at andersonatlarge@gmail.com.