LA GRANGE, Ky. — Kentucky’s 120 counties are full of history.
Sharing that history throughout the commonwealth, Oldham County History Center is hosting underground railroad tours. Cars lined up for a tour of historical spots Saturday in Oldham County.
“Today's tour will feature places where enslaved people have either escaped from on their road to freedom or their journey to freedom or where a particular incident has happened regarding the underground railroad,” said Nancy Theiss, executive director of the Oldham County History Center.
The Oldham County History Center underground railroad car tour took people to cemeteries and sites where people took their first steps toward freedom.
“We attract people from all over the United States, actually, because we have two sites designated by the National Park Service on the underground railroad," she said. "I believe we are the only museum in the United States that has that, and we are working on a third one."
Theiss said the tours are a good way to show the importance of democracy and how people’s sacrifices made the U.S. what it is now.
“The activities these people did to escape, leave families, families were separated, just their personal journey to freedom shows how people cherish the whole idea of what a democracy can be,” she said.
She added it can be easy to forget about the country's history and the millions of people who have walked the land before us.
“Looking at what they did can help enrich our life and, hopefully, set us on a good path to make our community better,” she said.
The Oldham County History Center will hold its next Underground Railroad Car Tour Aug. 10. Check out its website for information on registration and additional events.