Sailing to Freedom
Martha’s Vineyard Museum's latest exhibition, Sailing to Freedom, highlights the lesser-known role of maritime routes in the Underground Railroad. Featuring artifacts, maps, and narratives, the exhibit explores how freedom seekers navigated coastal waters and used ships to escape slavery. It sheds light on the bravery of both the fugitives and those who assisted them in their perilous journeys, offering a unique perspective on this chapter of history.
Martha's Vineyard Museum, 151 Lagoon Pond Road Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts, 02568. Runs through September 22, 2024.
*The exhibition itself is located at the Grain Family Gallery.
Exhibition Description
"The Underground Railroad was not limited to land, but included a network of maritime routes along the Atlantic seaboard. This groundbreaking exhibit uncovers the incredible stories of those who sought freedom by sea, shedding light on the maritime routes that played a crucial role in the Underground Railroad, including the waters around Martha’s Vineyard. Based on research by Dr. Timothy Walker and a previous exhibit at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, Sailing to Freedom broadens our understanding of the daring escapes by sea that were instrumental in the quest for liberation." - Exhibition Excerpt by MV Museum.
Exhibition Artists
Gallery
