| Day 1 |
9:30 -
10:30 am |
Begin your day with a tour of Veraestau, one of Indiana’s most historic homes. The home lies over 400 feet above the Ohio River in Aurora offering a spectacular river view. Following a tour of the home, enjoy coffee and pastries during a brief presentation on the Ohio River as a crossing point for freedom seekers into Indiana. |
10:30 -
11:00 am |
Travel along one of the most picturesque portions of the Ohio River National Scenic Byway to the historic river town of Rising Sun. |
11:00 am -
1:00 pm |
Explore shops, studios and galleries in Risin Sun’s quaint downtown and stop for lunch at The Courtyard Fine Dining & Spirits, a cozy restaurant housed in historic row houses on the riverfront. A beautiful courtyard garden is available for dining in summer. |
1:00 -
1:45 pm |
At the new riverfront park, we’ll be joined by our Ohio River historian step-on guide. As you travel “Down the Lazy River” to Vevay, hear some of the area’s documented runaway slave stories and tales of steamboats and life along the river in the 1800s. |
1:45 -
4:15 pm |
Begin your downtown walking tour of Vevay with a visit to the Switzerland County Historical Society’s Undergound Railroad display. Next door enjoy the “Life on the Ohio” River History Museum where historic photos and ship models illustrate the stories of the past. Just a down the street, gather in the newly restored historic Hoosier Theater and enjoy a spirited performance by historical musicians and storytellers who highlight persons, events and experiences that have helped shape our country's history and its culture. |
4:15 -
5:00 pm |
Travel on to Madison |
5:00 -
?? |
Imagine the freedom seeker’s difficult journey through the rugged ravines north of the river as you enter Clifty Falls State Park. Check in at Clifty Inn and enjoy a “southern comfort food” dinner with an Ohio River view. |
| Day 2 |
8:30 -
9:30 am |
Breakfast, and hotel check-out |
9:45 -
10:45 am |
Begin your visit in Madison’s National Landmark Historic District with a tour of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in the Georgetown neighborhood – the first Network to Freedom designated Underground Railroad neighborhood in America. The church was founded by former slave William Anderson and today houses a new Underground Railroad/Georgetown exhibit. |
10:45 -
11:15 am |
Travel to Eleutherian College, a National Historic Landmark and designated Network to Freedom and Civil War site in Lancaster. |
11:15 am -
12:15 pm |
Tour Eleutherian College with your costumed guide and learn about the College & the village of Lancaster, an Underground Railroad stonghold. It was a rare occurrence in pre-Civil War America to educate all races, males and females, but Eleutherian College welcomed students without regard to race or gender. Many African-American students came from the south, some directly from slavery, and many Lancaster residents were active Underground Railroad conductors. |
12:15 -
1:00 pm |
Listen to the audio driving tour story of Civil War General John Hunt Morgan’s great raid through Southeast Indiana as you travel to Versailles. |
1:00 -
2:00 pm |
Lunch at Crossroads Family Dining and enjoy period music by a local fiddler as you dine. |
2:00 -
3:30 pm |
Enjoy a short driving tour around the historic Ripley County Courthouse square where an Indiana Freedom Trails marker commemorates a local abolitionist & Underground Railroad leader. Continue on past the Busching Covered Bridge and into Versailles State Park. In the beautiful Oak Grove Shelter, enjoy a presentation by “Miss Susan” about the life of a Civil War era lady. |
3:30 -
4:00 pm |
Travel to Lawrenceburg |
4:00 -
5:30 pm |
Hotel check-in and “freshen up” for a one-of-a-kind dinner experience. |
5:30 -
5:45 pm |
Short ride to Aurora’s Hillforest Victorian House Museum, a National Historic Landmark 1855 mansion. |
5:45 -
7:45 pm |
At Hillforest, celebrate the end of the Civil War, the final chapter in the Underground Railroad movement. Seated in the beautiful double parlors of the mansion, enjoy a “Victorian-inspired” meal featuring heirloom recipes. After dinner, watch a troup of “Victorian Dancers” perform in the grand entrance – and be prepared to join in the dance! |
7:45 -
8:00 pm |
Return to your hotel
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| Day 3 |
| 9:00 am |
After breakfast at your hotel, depart for home
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