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Farm
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8:30 am - 6:30pm

Tea Rooms
Tuesday - Sunday
11:00 am - 4:00pm
Closed Monday

 

 

 

 

McClew Interpretative Center at Murphy Orchards

THE ABOLITIONISTS

Charles and Anna Maria McClew were part of a secret network of people who helped freedom seekers make their way through the Niagara frontier to Canada. Abolitionists throughout the Niagara region not only assisted people fleeing from slavery but also fought for abolition of slavery through political channels.

NOT UNDERGROUND, NOT A RAILROAD

Freedom seekers used whatever means available to make their journey. Some stowed away on canal boats and lake steamers. Some were transported hidden in wagons. Usually, however, they simply traveled on foot, under the cover of darkness,
carrying few possessions, following creek beds to avoid detection, and following leads to safe houses like the McClews’ to rest and eat.

CHARLES McCLEW

The McClews moved to this property in 1850 and built this house and barns. They used native wood, made the bricks on site, and used stones cut from the Erie Canal excavation to cap the foundation wall.

SAFE HOUSE

There is a concealed room beneath the McClews’ barn where people escaping slavery were able to rest and recuperate. The entrance to the room can still be seen today.

BOAT and
BRIDGE CROSSINGS

Rowboats were used to secretly ferry people across the Niagara River to Canada and freedom. After the first Suspension bridge was built to Canada near the Whirlpool Rapids in 1847, most fugitives escaped either by stealthily walking across the bridge or, after the original bridge was replaced by the Suspension Railway Bridge in 1855, by hiding in baggage or cattle cars of the trains.

CREEK ROUTE

Creekbeds offered pathways that were easy to follow even at nighttime and were often edged with concealing vegetation.

McClew Interpretative Center at Murphy Orchards
2402 McClew Road, Burt, NY 14028
Phone: (716) 778-7926
Website: Click Here