Service Alert
Hege Library & Learning Technologies
Service Alert
Hege Library & Learning Technologies
In partnership with the Guilford County Schools and with financial support from the Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation, Guilford College launched a curriculum with lesson plans targeting 4th, 8th, and 11th grade students learning about the history of the Underground Railroad.
We invite you to view our curriculum resources.
We are glad you have come to this website to learn more about the history of the Underground Railroad on Guilford's campus. We invite you to explore the many resources here--you can most easily do so by navigating the menu on the lefthand side of the page. There, you will find links to schedule a visit, to learn more about the curriculum resources, to read history and stories, and to find additional resources as well.
Known as the New Garden Woods in the 1800s, this is felt as a sacred place. Located within the historically Quaker New Garden/Guilford College community, it encompasses old growth forest and at least one champion tree standing as a silent witness to Underground Railroad activities.
Trail to the champion tree is 0.3 mile one-way. It includes uneven surfaces with an accessible viewing platform and seating at the end.
This old growth Tulip tree, dating back to before 1800, was present during the documented operation of the Underground Railroad in Guilford County (1819-1852). The tree stood as silent witness to the lives and actions of African Americans (enslaved and free) and their white allies (including many Quakers from New Garden).
We ask visitors and friends:
Film Screening of the 26 minute, 2022 Documentary "Rooted Wisdom" followed by a panel discussion with filmmakers Lauren Giordano, and George Burroughs, and historian Anthony Cohen, facilitated by William R. Rogers Friends Center Director, Wess Daniels. "Travel through Adkins Arboretum with historian Anthony Cohen to understand how self-liberators used their knowledge of nature to forge a path to freedom. Their methods for navigating, concealing themselves, finding food, and evading capture reflect a deep connection to, and understanding of, the landscape. Filmed over the course of a year, this film explores Maryland’s Eastern Shore through the seasons and brings history alive in the landscape you see today."
We ask that guests please register here so we can anticipate attendance: tinyurl.com/RootedWisdomGC
Using the Guilford College woods as a backdrop, in this after dark tour, led by historian Anthony Cohen, guests will be invited to learn how self-liberators used their knowledge of nature to forge a path to freedom. Their methods for navigating, concealing themselves, finding food, and evading capture reflect a deep connection to, and understanding of, the landscape. We will walk through the Guilford College woods after sundown to learn more about how Freedom Seekers navigated this land at night, and what their journey on the Underground Railroad might have looked like. Registration is limited to 40 participants, and we invite participants to make a suggested donation.
All are welcome to sign up for this tour: tinyurl.com/GCWoodsWalk
"The Spirit Of Freedom is alive in Diane Faison who retells the Harriet Tubman story." Diane is a retired teacher, with a teaching career spanning over thirty years. She studied the life of Harriet Tubman and has written and will perform her one-woman play about the Underground Railroad leader. The performance will be held in the Moon Room at Guilford College at 1:30pm on Thursday September, 28th, and will be followed by a Q&A session. No registration required, all are welcome!