Inns with ties to the Underground Railroad - Part I

Throughout January and February, Americans celebrate the history and accomplishments of African-Americans with Martin Luther King's birthday in January and Black History Month in February. To honor their contributions, this story examines B&Bs that were once "conductors" or "stations" on what came to be known as the Underground Railroad. Relive history with a stay at one of these historic inns once a safe house on the Underground Railroad. Part I examines B&Bs within an easy "one-tank" drive of Boston. Part II offers ideas for Pennsylvania and other Mid-Atlantic B&Bs rich in Underground Railroad history.

Inns in New England and NY with Underground RR ties

Ashley Manor, Barnstable, MA: Dating back to 1699, this historic B&B has a secret passage that connects the upstairs and downstairs, thought to be a hiding place for Tories during the Revolutionary War, and, later, a temporary hideout for escaping slaves. Allegedly, slaves climbed down a ladder, still found in the closet of the King George Suite, to reach the cellar, then fled into the night. From Boston: Take I-93 South (also Rte. 3) South of Boston, Rte. 3 and I-93 diverge, follow signs to Cape Cod and Rte. 3. Cross Sagamore Bridge and follow signs to Rte. 6 (Mid-Cape Highway) to Exit 6 (Route 132) Make left off ramp onto Route 132 North toward Barnstable, go about 1/2 mile to end. Turn right onto Route 6A East; go about 3 miles through Barnstable Village to signal. Proceed through signal...Ashley Manor is 6/10 mile from the signal on the left side.
 

The Tern Inn & Cottages, Harwich, MA: Under the living room rug, a small round door leads to a unique little round cellar that has survived 150 years of restoration. The trap door is still easily found, as the floor sags and creaks when one walks over the spot. The cellar was used to hide runaway slaves awaiting ships going to Canada.  From Boston: Follow the same directions as above from Boston to the Cape. Follow Route 6 east to Exit 9A. Bearing right off the exit onto Route 134 travel through two lights, and at the 3rd light, turn left onto Upper County Road. Travel approx. 1.5 miles to end,  bearing left onto Route 28. Go an additional mile, crossing the Herring River. Turn right onto River Road to end (about 1/10 of a mile or less) Turn right, and the inn and cottages are just ahead on the left.

Lathrop House, Springfield, MA: This inn's location is convenient for visiting the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in Hartford, CT, providing an intimate glimpse into the life of the author of Uncle Tom's Cabin. Also about a half hour away is the Connecticut Freedom Trail, a tour of buildings reportedly used on the Underground Railroad. Take the Mass Pike west from Boston to Springfield, about an hour outside of Boston.  From Boston:  Take Route 90 and exit at Route 291 (toward Hartford, CT)onto Route 91 South.  Follow to Route 83 / Exit 4; go all the way to light at end of ramp ( do not make left turn before light). Turn left at light under highway, then make first allowed right turn on Longhill Street to top of hill. Turn left at light onto Sumner Avenue. Go through next light and past two more streets on left, look for the beige house with red roof ; driveway is just past the house.

Samuel Fitch House, Westford, MA: The innkeeper grew up in this home and spent hours climbing through a basement tunnel believed to be part of escaped slaves' route on the Underground Railroad. His childhood bedroom has a walk-in closet with bookshelves in front of a removable wall, where it is believed slaves hid next to the warmth of the house chimney. Guests can still explore the tunnels and see the movable walls on historic inn tours. From Boston: Follow Route 2 west to Concord Circle, then pickup Rt. 2A /119 West. Follow Rt 2A and pass Scupper Jack's Restaurant . Take the next right on Powers Road. The Samuel Fitch House will be on your left.
 

Baird Tavern B&B, Blandford, MA:  The Baird Tavern often entertained weary travelers as they ate and drank in the taproom and then slept feet to the fire, heads resting on their buffalo robes. In the keeping room with its huge fireplace, the women bustled around cooking and tending little ones. Babies were birthed in the borning room just off the kitchen. Early in the 19th century, the house was purchased by the Bartholomew family who owned it for eighty years. It was a known stop along the Underground Railroad as slaves fled to freedom in Canada. From Boston: Take I 90 west to Exit 3. Turn right coming out of the tollbooth onto Rts. 202 and 10 in Westfield and travel 1.5 miles. Turn right on Route 20 west and travel 5.8 miles. Turn left on Route 23 west. Travel 5.3 miles to the Blandford Historical Society building.  Bear right onto North Street (small green sign) and travel 4.2 miles to Old Chester Road. Shortly before Old Chester Road is a brown and yellow sign reading Baird Tavern Bed and Breakfast with an arrow pointing to the left. Turn left and go over a bridge immediately. The Baird Tavern is on the right.

Orland House B&B, Orland, ME: Cyndi, the innkeeper and co-owner here likes to decorate each room with an angel, often hidden somewhere special in the rooms. Once a part of the Underground RR, perhaps the angels at this inn honor the memory of those who arrived and departed from here in their search for freedom.  Orland House is North of Boston about three hours; take 95 North into Maine and continue North.  From Boston: This is a bit of a longer trek, and will take more than 4 hours.  Go North on 95 into Maine.  In Portland merge onto 295 and stay on it as it becomes 95N. Take Exit 113 onto Route 3 toward August/Belfast.  Stay on Route 3 for 44 miles.  Route 3 merges with Route 1 and continue for another 18 miles.  The road becomes US-1/ME-15/ME-3. Continue another 2 miles and then turn right onto Narramissic Dr.  The inn is on the right.

Escape Guest House, Brooklyn, NY: This B&B is just a short stroll from Plymouth Church, the "Grand Central Depot" of New York's Underground Railroad. According to church history, slaves traveling to Canada were hidden in the tunnel-like basement beneath the church sanctuary; you can still visit there today. The church's first pastor, Henry Ward Beecher, was a dedicated abolitionist and younger brother to Harriet Beecher Stowe, famous author of Uncle Tom's Cabin. From Boston: The best way to reach Escape Guest House is to catch a train from Boston to NY and then connect via subway with the F or G train to Bergen Street.  Walk East on Bergen 1.5 blocks.

Inn by the Mill, Saint Johnsville, NY: The inn is comprised of a collection of 19th century buildings, including a barn, carriage house, hog house, and a stone grist mill built alongside the Timmerman Creek. The mill was once part of the Underground Railroad and has three secret rooms below the basement floor. Each night, the water to the 30-foot waterwheel was shut off, allowing slaves to pass safely through the 1,000-foot-long water tunnel.  From Boston: It's about a four hour drive, but plan to combine this with a trip to Cooperstown, NY too.  Take I-90 west and continue into NY state and continue on the NY Thruway.  Take Exit 29 for Cannajoharie/Sharon Springs. Take a right onto E. Main Street and another right on Church St. Turn left on West Grand Street/NY 5 and continue about 10 miles.  Turn right on Mill St, go 4/10 mile to the inn.

Saratoga Farmstead, Saratoga Springs, NY: Former owners and abolitionists Clarissa and Benjamin Dyer used the farmstead to connect to the Underground Railroad. According to some, a young black boy and his enslaved mother died while hiding in the attic. Legend tells that for many years thereafter, each time someone tried to climb the attic stairs, the boy's ghost put an arm out, tripping the intruder and protecting his mother. During a session with a visiting expert on the paranormal, these ghosts were released to "the next level," and visitors can now navigate the stairs safely.  From Boston:  Amtrak, Adirondack Trailways and Greyhound Bus Lines all service Saratoga Springs, and innkeepers will pick up those arriving by public transportation.  It's about a 3.5 hour drive.  Take the

Golden Stage Inn, Proctorsville, VT: Under the ownership of Universalist preacher Reverend Warren Skinner, the inn was a stop on the Underground Railroad for fleeing slaves making their way to Canada. Skinner was known locally for his sympathetic views on slavery.  From Boston:  With luck and light traffic, it's about a 3 hour drive to the Golden Stage Inn from Boston.  Take Route 2 to 91 North.  Take I-91 North to Vermont Exit 6, then VT Rte. 103 North through Chester (103N makes a right turn in Chester, don't miss it!). Proctorsville is approximately 8 miles from Chester. Climb through the Proctorsville Gulf and look for the additional climbing lane. At the end of the climbing lane look for a sign that says "Golden Stage Inn 1/4 mile". Watch for the Proctorsville sign. Just after the sign turn right. The Golden Stage Inn driveway is 50 feet on the right.